A cytotoxic anthracycline antibiotic drug used in the treatment of solid tumours, acute LEUKAEMIA and LYMPHOMA. It is related structurally to DOXORUBICIN and is given intravenously, and by instillation into the URINARY BLADDER to treat bladder cancer under specialist supervision.
n. any of 500 or so antibiotics synthesized or isolated from species of Streptomyces. *Doxorubicin is the most important member of this group of compounds, which have wide activity, particularly against breast cancer and lymphoma; others include *daunorubicin and epirubicin. See cytotoxic drug.... anthracycline
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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