ViV Gem 1000mg Injection

Chemically Gemcitabine is a Nucleoside Analog, in which the hydrogen atoms on the 2 carbons of Deoxycytidine are replaced by Fluorine atoms. As with Fluorouracil and other Analogues of Pyrimidines, the Triphosphates analogue of Gemcitabine replaces one of the building blocks of nucleic acids, in this case Cytidine. The process arrests growth, as new nucleosides can’t be attached to the “faulty” nucleoside. Resulting in Apoptosis. Another target of Gemcitabine is the enzyme Ribonucle otidereductase (RNR). The diphosphate analogue binds RNR active site and deactivates the enzyme irreversible. Once RNR is inhibited, the cell can’t produce the Deoxyribonucleotides required for DNA replication and and cell apoptosis is induced.

Indications:
Gemcitabine is used in various carcinomas: non-small cell Lung cancer, Pancreatic cancer, Bladder cancer and Breast cancer. It is being in vestigated for use in Oesophageal cancer and is used experimentally in Lymphomas and various other Tumor types.

Administration: Gemcitabine is administered by the IV route since it is extensively metabolized by the Gastro intestinal tract.

Dose ranges from 1-1.2mg/m2 according to the type of cancer treated.