Doxorubicin is a cytotoxic anthracycline antibiotic isolated from cultures of Streptomyces peucetius var. caesius. Doxorubicin binds to nucleic acids, presumably by specific intercalation of the planar anthracycline nucleus with the DNA double helix.

Doxorubicin hydrochloride is an antitumor antibiotic agent that inhibits DNA topoisomerase II. DNA intercalator that inhibits nucleic acid synthesis and induces apoptosis. Reduces intracellular tau levels.

Uses

Doxorubicin hydrochloride is approved to be used alone or with other drugs to treat:

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Breast cancer. It is used:

After surgery to remove the primary tumor in women whose cancer has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm. It is used with other drugs.

In patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Gastric (stomach) cancer that is metastatic.

Hodgkin lymphoma.

Neuroblastoma that is metastatic.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Non-small cell lung cancer that is metastatic.

Ovarian cancer that is metastatic.

Small cell lung cancer that is metastatic.

Soft tissue and bone sarcomas that are metastatic.

Thyroid cancer that is metastatic.

Transitional cell bladder cancer that is metastatic.

Wilms tumor that is metastatic.

Doxorubicin hydrochloride is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.

Doxorubicin hydrochloride is also available in a different form called doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome. For more information, see the Drug Information Summary for Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome.