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

The technique is not without its hazards; actinomycin D increases skin reactions to radiation.

From Time Magazine Archive

Working with fungus cultures, they isolated actinomycin C, a new form of the original antibiotic.

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