Zanosar

What is this medication?

Zanosar is a prescription chemotherapy medication primarily used to treat certain types of pancreatic cancer. Specifically, it is indicated for the treatment of metastatic islet cell carcinoma, which involves tumors that affect the hormone-producing cells of the pancreas. Because this medication is highly specialized, it is typically reserved for cases where the cancer has spread to other parts of the body or cannot be managed through surgical procedures.

The active ingredient in Zanosar is streptozocin, which belongs to a class of drugs known as alkylating agents. It works by attaching to and damaging the DNA within cancer cells, which effectively stops them from replicating and slows the progression of the disease. This medication is administered intravenously by a healthcare professional in a clinical environment. Treatment cycles and dosages are carefully managed by a physician based on the patient's overall health and how the tumor responds to the therapy.