Clarithromycin

**Semantic type:** Amino Acid, Peptide, or Protein|Antibiotic|Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** 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. (NCI04)

**Synonyms:** - 6-O-Methylerythromycin - Abbott-56268 - Biaxin - CLARITHROMYCIN - clarithromycin