A chemotherapy for certain pancreatic tumours
Streptozocin
A chemotherapy used to treat pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours, given under specialist cancer care.
What is Streptozocin?
Streptozocin is a specialist chemotherapy (a nitrosourea) used to treat pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours, a type of tumour of the pancreas. It is given as an injection into a vein by a cancer team. Its dominant and dose-limiting problem is kidney toxicity, so kidney function is monitored closely throughout treatment. It also commonly causes severe nausea and vomiting, and it can lower blood counts by affecting the bone marrow. It is only used under close specialist supervision.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Streptozocin — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Streptozocin is a chemotherapy medicine belonging to a group called the nitrosoureas. It is used mainly to treat pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours, which are uncommon tumours that arise from hormone-producing cells in the pancreas. It is given as an injection into a vein in a cancer treatment unit. Because it is a powerful medicine with significant effects on the kidneys and other parts of the body, it is always prescribed and given by a specialist cancer team who plan the treatment and monitor closely for problems.
How it works
Streptozocin damages the genetic material inside cancer cells, which stops them growing and dividing and leads to their death. It has a particular tendency to reach the hormone-producing cells of the pancreas, which is why it is useful against tumours arising there. Like other chemotherapy, it also affects some healthy cells, especially in the kidneys, the gut lining and the bone marrow, which explains its main side effects. Treatment is given in planned cycles so the body has time to recover between doses.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturer.
A specialist chemotherapy used in the UK, given by cancer teams to treat pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours.
Practical use
How to take Streptozocin
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- It is given to you as an injection into a vein by your cancer team, in planned treatment cycles.
- You will usually be given fluids and strong anti-sickness medicines around your treatment to protect your kidneys and reduce vomiting.
- Attend all your blood tests and kidney checks, as these guide whether treatment can safely continue.
- Tell your team straight away about reduced urine, swelling, fever, unusual bleeding or bruising, or vomiting that will not settle.
- Follow your team's advice on drinking fluids and on avoiding infection between cycles.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Streptozocin
Advantages
- An established treatment option for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours.
- Has a particular action on the hormone-producing cells where these tumours arise.
- Given in planned cycles with monitoring so problems can be picked up and managed.
Disadvantages
- Kidney toxicity is the dominant, dose-limiting side effect and needs close monitoring.
- Commonly causes severe nausea and vomiting.
- Can lower blood counts, raising the risk of infection, bleeding and anaemia.
Practical use
Good to know
The single most important thing about streptozocin is its effect on the kidneys: kidney toxicity is the main problem that limits how much can be given, so kidney function is checked carefully before and during treatment, and good hydration is used to help protect the kidneys. Severe nausea and vomiting are very common, so strong anti-sickness medicines are given alongside it. It can also lower the blood cells made in the bone marrow, increasing the risk of infection, bleeding or anaemia, so blood counts are monitored. Because of all this, it is only ever used in a specialist cancer setting where these effects can be watched for and managed. Tell your team promptly about any reduced urine, swelling, fevers, unusual bleeding or persistent vomiting.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to streptozocin should not be given it.
- It is used with great caution, or avoided, in people who already have significant kidney problems.
- It is not used in pregnancy except where a specialist judges it essential, because chemotherapy can harm an unborn baby.
- It is only used under close specialist cancer supervision, with regular kidney and blood monitoring.
Monitoring
- Close monitoring of kidney function before and during every cycle.
- Regular blood counts to check for low blood cells.
- Checking blood sugar and liver blood tests during treatment.
Side effects
- Kidney damage, which is the main and dose-limiting problem and is monitored closely.
- Severe nausea and vomiting, helped by strong anti-sickness medicines.
- Lower blood counts, increasing the risk of infection, bleeding or anaemia.
- Changes in blood sugar and liver blood tests, which the team watches for.
Key interactions
- Other medicines that can harm the kidneys add to the risk and are used with caution alongside it.
- It can affect blood sugar, so diabetes treatment may need adjusting under specialist guidance.
- Tell your team about all your medicines, as chemotherapy combinations and other drugs can interact.
Available as: A solution for injection into a vein, given in a cancer unit.
Answers
Streptozocin: frequently asked questions
What is streptozocin used for?
It is a chemotherapy used to treat pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours, an uncommon type of tumour arising from hormone-producing cells in the pancreas.
Why is so much attention paid to my kidneys?
Kidney damage is the main side effect that limits how much streptozocin can be given, so kidney function is checked carefully and fluids are used to help protect the kidneys.
Will it make me feel sick?
Severe nausea and vomiting are common, so your team will give you strong anti-sickness medicines to help control this.
Why do I need regular blood tests?
It can lower the blood cells made in the bone marrow, raising the risk of infection, bleeding or anaemia, so blood counts are monitored throughout treatment.
Can I have it at home?
No. It is given as an injection into a vein by a specialist cancer team, who monitor your kidneys and blood closely during treatment.
The wider class
About Nitrosourea chemotherapy
Streptozocin belongs to the nitrosourea chemotherapy class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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