Doxorubicin

Structure of Doxorubicin

• Doxorubicin, also an anthracycline antibiotic, features a tetracyclic ring structure with a daunosamine sugar moiety and a hydroxyl group.

• Chemical Formula: C₂₉H₂₁NO₁₄

Structure of Doxorubicin

Mode of Action

• DNA Intercalation: Disrupts DNA replication and transcription by inserting between base pairs.

• Topoisomerase II Inhibition: Prevents DNA strand re-ligation, causing DNA breaks.

• Reactive Oxygen Species Generation: Induces oxidative stress leading to cellular damage.

• Apoptosis Induction: Triggers programmed cell death in malignant cells.

Uses

1. Breast Cancer: Often used in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents.

2. Ovarian Cancer: In combination therapy regimens.

3. Lung Cancer: Particularly small cell lung carcinoma.

4. Lymphomas: Both Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

5. Leukemias: Including AML and ALL.