Teniposide

Teniposide (Vumon) is a chemotherapeutic medication mainly used in the treatment of childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). It is in a class of drugs known as podophyllotoxin derivatives and slows the growth of cancer cells in the body. Teniposide causes dose-dependent single- and double-stranded breaks in DNA and DNA-protein cross-links. The mechanism of action appears to be related to the inhibition of type II topoisomerase activity since teniposide does not intercalate into DNA or bind strongly to DNA.