Daunorubicin

Definition

Daunorubicin is an anthracycline antibiotic used as a chemotherapeutic agent to treat certain types of cancer. It works by intercalating DNA and inhibiting topoisomerase II, leading to cell death.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Daunorubicin is primarily used to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
2. It causes cardiotoxicity, which can limit its use due to potential heart damage.
3. Daunorubicin is administered intravenously and has a distinctive red color.
4. The drug can cause severe myelosuppression, leading to decreased production of blood cells.
5. Patients taking daunorubicin often require frequent cardiac monitoring due to the risk of heart failure.

Review Questions

• What types of cancer is daunorubicin primarily used to treat?
• Why is cardiotoxicity a significant concern when using daunorubicin?
• How does daunorubicin work at the molecular level?

Related terms

Anthracyclines:

A class of drugs that includes daunorubicin, known for their anticancer properties and potential for causing cardiotoxicity.

Topoisomerase Inhibitors:

Drugs that interfere with the action of topoisomerase enzymes, preventing DNA replication and transcription in cancer cells.

Myelosuppression:

A decrease in bone marrow activity resulting in reduced production of blood cells, a common side effect of many chemotherapeutic agents.