Central Nervous System Germinoma Medication

Updated: Mar 25, 2021
  • Author: Amani A AlKofide, MD; Chief Editor: Herbert H Engelhard, III, MD, PhD, FACS, FAANS  more...
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Medication

Medication Summary

Chemotherapeutic agents (eg, cisplatin, bleomycin, etoposide, cyclophosphamide) are used to treat germinomas. They are discussed below along with desmopressin acetate, which is used for the treatment of diabetes insipidus.

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Chemotherapeutic agents

Class Summary

These agents are chemical substances or drugs that treat neoplastic diseases by interfering with DNA synthesis.

Cisplatin (Platinol)

Inhibits DNA synthesis and, thus, cell proliferation by causing DNA cross-links and denaturation of double helix.

Bleomycin (Blenoxane)

Glycopeptide antibiotic that inhibits DNA synthesis. For palliation in management of several neoplasms.

Etoposide, VP-16 (Toposar, VePesid)

Inhibits topoisomerase II and causes DNA strand breakage, causing cell proliferation to arrest in late S or early G2 phase of cell cycle.

Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar)

Chemically related to nitrogen mustards. As alkylating agent, mechanism of action of active metabolites may involve cross-linking of DNA, which may interfere with growth of normal and neoplastic cells.

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Vasopressin analogs

Class Summary

These agents treat diabetes insipidus, a neuroendocrine abnormality associated with CNS germinomas.

Desmopressin acetate (DDAVP, Stimate)

Increases cellular permeability of collecting ducts, resulting in reabsorption of water by kidneys.

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