actinomycin

American  

[ak-tin-oh-mahy-sin, ak-tuh-noh-] / ækˌtɪn oʊˈmaɪ sɪn, ˌæk tə noʊ- /

noun

Pharmacology.

1. any of a group of related antibiotics derived from several species of streptomyces bacteria, used against susceptible bacteria and fungi and in the treatment of various cancers.

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actinomycin British  

/ ˌæktɪnəʊˈmaɪsɪn /

noun

1. any of several toxic antibiotics obtained from bacteria of the genus Streptomyces, used in treating some cancers; the most commonly used is dactinomycin (actinomycin D)

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Etymology

Origin of actinomycin

actinomyc(es) + -in ²

Example Sentences

Dr. Woodruff was able to isolate two microbes, culture them and purify the antibiotics they produced: first actinomycin, which he found could inhibit tuberculosis, and later streptothricin.

From New York Times • Feb. 3, 2017

So virulent that one milligram could kill a large chicken, actinomycin seemed far too dangerous ever to try on humans.

From Time Magazine Archive

Boston's Dr. Farber has found that actinomycin D, a derivative of one of Dr. Selman Waksman's earliest antibiotics, has both anti-cancer activity of its own and the power to increase the effectiveness of X rays.

From Time Magazine Archive

Called actinomycin, it proved too poisonous for clinical use.

From Time Magazine Archive

Microbiologist Selman Waksman announced that German scientists have taken the sting from his drug, actinomycin, turned it into a potential weapon against: 1.

From Time Magazine Archive