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NCI Drug Dictionary


clarithromycin 
A semisynthetic 14-membered ring macrolide antibiotic. Clarithromycin binds to the 50S ribosomal subunit and inhibits RNA-dependent protein synthesis in susceptible organisms. Clarithromycin has been shown to eradicate gastric MALT (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue) lymphomas, presumably due to the eradication of tumorigenic Helicobacter pylori infection. This agent also acts as a biological response modulator, possibly inhibiting angiogenesis and tumor growth through alterations in growth factor expression. Check for active clinical trials or closed clinical trials using this agent. (NCI Thesaurus)
Synonym:Abbott-56268
US brand name:Biaxin
Abbreviation:CLARITH
Chemical structure:6-O-Methylerythromycin