A cyclic polypeptide-containing anticancer antibiotic that binds to DNA and blocks transcription by interfering with RNA synthesis; ~10 nM promotes cell death in a variety of tumors.

Actinomycin D is a polypeptide antibiotic produced from Streptomyces; it exhibits anticancer chemotherapeutic activity but does not display antibacterial benefit. Actinomycin D is clinically used to treat various cancers and is one component of the VAC chemotherapy regimen. Actinomycin D binds DNA,…