etoposide
Last reviewed 01/2018
Etoposide is a cytotoxic agent and is a derivative, like teniposide, of the mandrake plant, and is a semi-synthetic glycoside derivative of podophyllotoxin.
These drugs, like the vinca alkaloids, bind to tubulin. However their action is probably related to effects on topoisomerase II, blocking DNA synthesis.
The dose-limiting toxicity with etoposide is myelosuppression, with a nadir of 12 to 25 days after treatment.