You are using an outdated browser. We suggest you update your browser for a better experience. Click here for update.
Close this notification.
Skip to main content Skip to search

COVID-19: Get the latest updates or take a self-assessment.

Screen for hepatitis B virus in all cancer patients starting systemic treatment. Find out more about hepatitis B virus screening and management.

Drug Formulary information is intended for use by healthcare professionals. It is not intended to be medical advice. Some of the information, including information about funding for cancer drugs, does not apply to all patients. Cancer treatment plans are unique to each patient. If you are a patient, please speak with your healthcare team to understand how this information applies to you.

A - Drug Name

mitomycin

SYNONYM(S):   mitomycin C; MMC

COMMON TRADE NAME(S):   Mutamycin® (generic brand available)

 
B - Mechanism of Action and Pharmacokinetics

Mitomycin is a purple antibiotic isolated from Streptomyces caespitosus.  Mitomycin is activated in vivo to a bifunctional and trifunctional alkylating agent. Binding to DNA leads to cross-linking and inhibition of DNA synthesis and function.  RNA synthesis is also inhibited at higher mitomycin concentrations.  Mitomycin is cell cycle phase-nonspecific.



Absorption

Oral absorption: Erratic

Not appreciably absorbed from the bladder


Distribution

Rapidly cleared from plasma.  Highest concentraions found in kidney, followed by muscles, eyes, lungs, intestine and stomach.  Found in ascites.

Cross blood brain barrier? no
PPB No information found
Metabolism

Prodrug activated in vivo, primary means of elimination is by hepatic metabolism, also metabolized by enzymes in kidneys, spleen, brain and heart; saturable at relatively low doses.

Active metabolites yes
Inactive metabolites yes
Elimination

Biphasic elimination.  Excreted in urine, detected in bile and feces, biliary level may exceed plasma level.

Urine 10% excreted unchanged in urine, increases with increasing doses.
Half-life 17 minutes
 
C - Indications and Status
Health Canada Approvals:

Topical

  • Transitional cell bladder cancer (superficial), 1st or 2nd line

Systemic

  • Stomach cancer (palliative)
  • Colon cancer (palliative)


Other Uses:

  • Anal cancer
  • Vulvar cancer 
 
D - Adverse Effects

Emetogenic Potential:  

Low

Extravasation Potential:   Vesicant

ORGAN SITE SIDE EFFECT* (%) ONSET**
Cardiovascular Cardiotoxicity (rare, with prior anthracyclines) E  D
Venous thromboembolism E
Dermatological Alopecia (frequent) E
Radiation recall reaction (rare) I
Rash (10%, generally on extremities) I  E
Gastrointestinal Anorexia E
Diarrhea E
Mucositis (4%) E
Nausea, vomiting I
General Edema E
Fatigue E
Pain E
Hematological Hemolytic uremic syndrome (rare) D
Myelosuppression ± infection, bleeding (64%) E
Injection site Injection site reaction (may be severe) I
Metabolic / Endocrine Hypoglycemia E
Nervous System Ataxia E
Renal Nephrotoxicity (2%) (may be severe) D
Reproductive and breast disorders Irregular menstruation (amenorrhea) E
Respiratory Adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (or other acute respiratory symptoms; especially with vincas) E
Pneumonitis E  D
Urinary Bladder fibrosis (with intravesical use) I  E  D
Cystitis (25%) (with intravesical use) I  E  D


* "Incidence" may refer to an absolute value or the higher value from a reported range.
"Rare" may refer to events with < 1% incidence, reported in post-marketing, phase 1 studies,
isolated data or anecdotal reports.
Dose-limiting side effects are underlined.

** I = immediate (onset in hours to days)     E = early (days to weeks)
D = delayed (weeks to months)      L = late (months to years)

 

 

Cumulative myelosuppression is a major dose-limiting adverse effect. Onset and recovery may be late (2-4 weeks and 10 weeks respectively). .

The tissue necrosis that happens with extravasation may happen days to weeks after the treatment. Patients must be observed for delayed reactions and prior injection sites carefully inspected. Soft tissue ulceration distal to the injection site following uneventful injection in a peripheral vein has been reported.

Pulmonary toxicity consisting of dyspnea, non-productive cough or pulmonary infiltrates has been reported infrequently, and may be severe, with both single agent and combination chemotherapy.  Threshold dose associated with pulmonary toxicity appears to be 50-60 mg/m2. Steroids may be of some benefit. Acute respiratory distress syndrome may occur with high FIO2 concentrations and combination chemotherapy.

A syndrome of renal failure and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (hemolytic-uremic syndrome) with hypertension, pulmonary edema and neurological symptoms has been reported in 10% of patients. This syndrome mostly appears after 6 months of therapy/ 60mg of mitomycin, and may be exacerbated with blood transfusions. Patients should be monitored for development of renal failure or hemolysis.

The incidence of cardiotoxicity may be increased in patients receiving mitomycin in combination with doxorubicin or in patients who have had prior exposure to doxorubicin. No studies report cardiotoxicity in patients only receiving mitomycin.

Genitourinary irritation, following intravesical (bladder) administration includes dysuria, cystitis, nocturia, increased micturition and hematuria. Myelosuppression has not been noted with intravesical administration. Bladder fibrosis/contraction or calcification have rarely been reported.

Mitomycin has the potential to enhance radiation injury to tissues. While often called radiation recall reactions, the timing of the radiation may be before, concurrent with or even after the administration of the mitomycin. Recurrent injury to a previously radiated site may occur weeks to months following radiation.

 
E - Dosing

Refer to protocol by which patient is being treated. Numerous dosing schedules exist and depend on disease, response and concomitant therapy. Guidelines for dosing also include consideration of white blood cell count. Dosage may be reduced and/or delayed in patients with bone marrow depression due to cytotoxic/radiation therapy. Patients should not be retreated until hematological recovery has occurred.

 

 



Adults:

Intravenous:   

  • On days 1 and 29:  10 mg/m2
  • Q6-8W:  20 mg/m2
  • q6-8w: 2 mg/m2/day x 5 days, stop x 2 days, repeat x 1 (i.e. day 1-5 and day 8-12)

Intravesical:   

  •  q1w: 20-40 mg in SWI x 8 weeks

Dosage with Toxicity:

Dosage in myelosuppression:  Modify according to protocol by which patient is being treated. 

 

Lowest Value in Preceding Course

ANC  (x109/L)

Platelets (x 109/L)

% Previous dose*

≥ 1

≥ 75

100

0.5 - 0.99

25-74.99

70

< 0.5

< 25

50 or discontinue

*Do not re-treat until platelets ≥ 100 x 109/L, ANC ≥ 1.5 x 109/L and other toxicities ≤ grade 2.

Other Toxicity:

 

Toxicity
Mitomycin dose
Pneumonitis

Hold and investigate if suspected. Discontinue if confirmed.  Consider steroids.                   

Hemolytic uremic syndrome
Discontinue
Grade 3 organ/non-hematologic
Hold until ≤ grade 2 and then reduce by 25%
Grade 4 organ/non-hematologic
Discontinue


Dosage with Hepatic Impairment:

No adjustment required



Dosage with Renal Impairment:

Do not administer if creatinine > 150 µmol/L, or in patients with moderate to severe renal impairment.



Dosage in the elderly:

Has not been studied, but caution recommended due to likelihood of organ dysfunction.



Children:

Safety and efficacy have not been established.



 
F - Administration Guidelines

  • Slow push through sidearm of free flowing IV (Normal Saline)
  • Doses may be mixed in 50mL minibag (Normal Saline); Infuse through a free-flowing IV over 15-30 minutes


 
G - Special Precautions
Other:

Mitomycin is contraindicated in patients with serious infections, myelosuppression, coagulation disorder, or an increased bleeding tendency due to other causes, with known hypersensitivity or an idiosyncratic reaction to it, or any component of its formulations, even if intended for intravesical use.

High FIO2 concentrations (anesthesia, oxygen therapy) should be avoided especially in patients with pulmonary toxicity.

Mitomycin has been shown to be carcinogenic, fetotoxic, mutagenic, clastogenic and teratogenic in animal studies and should not be used in pregnancy.  Adequate contraception must be used by both sexes, during mitomycin treatment and for at least 6 months after the last dose. Breast feeding is not recommended due to the potential secretion into breast milk.  Fertility may be affected.

 
H - Interactions

AGENT EFFECT MECHANISM MANAGEMENT
vinca alkaloids (vincristine, vinblastine, vindesine) acute bronchospasm occurring within minutes or hours after vinca alkaloid injection Unknown Caution
 
I - Recommended Clinical Monitoring

Treating physicians may decide to monitor more or less frequently for individual patients but should always consider recommendations from the product monograph.

Recommended Clinical Monitoring

Monitor Type Monitor Frequency
CBC Baseline and regular
Renal function tests Baseline and periodic

Clinical exam, including pulmonary, neurological, infection, bleeding, thromboembolism, GI effects and local site toxicity

At each visit

Grade toxicity using the current NCI-CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) version



Suggested Clinical Monitoring

Monitor Type Monitor Frequency
Liver function tests Baseline and regular
Fluid balance, in patients experiencing pulmonary toxicity
 
K - References

BCCA Protocol Summary for the Chemotherapy of Pseudomyxoma Peritonei using intraperitoneal Mitomycin and Fluorouracil.  Accessed September 10, 2012.

McEvoy GK, editor. AHFS Drug Information 2011. Bethesda: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, p. 1159-61.

Product Monograph: Mitomycin. Hospira Healthcare Corporation. June 13, 2007.

Prescribing Information: Mitozytrex® (mitomycin with glucopyranose polymers). Supergen US, November 2002.

Mitomycin:  UpToDate® drug information (v19.2).  Accessed September 10, 2012.


October 2017 edited indications

 
L - Disclaimer

Refer to the New Drug Funding Program or Ontario Public Drug Programs websites for the most up-to-date public funding information.

The information set out in the drug monographs, regimen monographs, appendices and symptom management information (for health professionals) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended for healthcare providers and is to be used for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects of a particular drug, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition. The information in the Formulary is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.

The format and content of the drug monographs, regimen monographs, appendices and symptom management information contained in the Formulary will change as they are reviewed and revised on a periodic basis. The date of last revision will be visible on each page of the monograph and regimen. Since standards of usage are constantly evolving, it is advised that the Formulary not be used as the sole source of information. It is strongly recommended that original references or product monograph be consulted prior to using a chemotherapy regimen for the first time.

Some Formulary documents, such as the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets and symptom management information (for patients), are intended for patients. Patients should always consult with their healthcare provider if they have questions regarding any information set out in the Formulary documents.

While care has been taken in the preparation of the information contained in the Formulary, such information is provided on an “as-is” basis, without any representation, warranty, or condition, whether express, or implied, statutory or otherwise, as to the information’s quality, accuracy, currency, completeness, or reliability.

CCO and the Formulary’s content providers shall have no liability, whether direct, indirect, consequential, contingent, special, or incidental, related to or arising from the information in the Formulary or its use thereof, whether based on breach of contract or tort (including negligence), and even if advised of the possibility thereof. Anyone using the information in the Formulary does so at his or her own risk, and by using such information, agrees to indemnify CCO and its content providers from any and all liability, loss, damages, costs and expenses (including legal fees and expenses) arising from such person’s use of the information in the Formulary.