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
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
Breast Cancer: Often used in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents.
Ovarian Cancer: In combination therapy regimens.
Lung Cancer: Particularly small cell lung carcinoma.
Lymphomas: Both Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Leukemias: Including AML and ALL.
