ANTIBIOTICS that destroy tumour cells: examples include aclarubicin, daunorubicin, doxorubicin, epirubicin and idarubicin.
A member of the group of antitumour drugs known as TAXANES, docetaxel is used to treat advanced or metastatic cancer arising in the breast (see BREASTS, DISEASES OF). It is also used to treat non-small cancer of the LUNGS. The NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR CLINICAL EXCELLENCE (NICE) has recommended that both docetaxel and PACLITAXEL should be available for the treatment of advanced breast cancer where initial anticancer CHEMOTHERAPY (including one of the ANTHRACYCLINES) has failed or is inappropriate.... docetaxel
n. an *anthracycline antibiotic isolated from Streptomyces peucetius caesius and used mainly in the treatment of acute leukaemias, Hodgkin’s disease, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and various other forms of cancer. Doxorubicin acts by interfering with the production of DNA and RNA (see also cytotoxic drug; topoisomerase inhibitor). Side-effects are those of other cytotoxic drugs; in addition, cardiotoxicity increases with cumulative dose of the drug. Use of alterative anthracyclines (e.g. epirubicin) or a liposomal preparation can reduce toxicity.... doxorubicin
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