Master Dactinomycin (Actinomycin D) with Picmonic for Medicine

Dactinomycin is indicated to treat Wilms' tumor, or nephroblastoma, which is a childhood tumor of the kidneys.

Dactinomycin can be used in conjunction with radiation therapy to treat rhabdomyosarcoma, a sarcoma of skeletal muscle. Rhabdomyosarcoma is more common in children and often affects very early forms of muscle cells. Common sites include the head, neck, urinary and reproductive organs, limbs, and trunk (chest and abdomen).

Ewing's sarcoma is a malignant bone cancer affecting teenagers and young adults. Ewing's sarcoma is treated using neoadjuvant therapy, where dactinomycin is combined with radiation therapy.

This medication can be used to treat gestational trophoblastic malignancy, such as malignant hydatidiform moles.

This drug works by intercalating into DNA, effectively inhibiting its transcription. It does so by binding to the DNA transcription initiation complex and prevents RNA chain elongation. Dactinomycin effectively "gets in the way," physically blocking RNA transcription.

The most common side effect of dactinomycin is myelosuppression, which leads to decreased red and white blood cell production.