OnCo
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Anthracyclines (doxorubicin, epirubicin)

aka anthracyclines, anthracycline-based, anthracycline-free, anthracycline-containing, liposomal doxorubicin, AC-T, FEC, anthracycline cardiotoxicity

A family of red chemotherapy drugs derived from a soil bacterium that damage cancer DNA. Cornerstones of breast cancer, lymphoma, leukaemia and sarcoma treatment, but they weaken the heart in a dose-dependent way, so there is a lifetime limit.

Doxorubicin, epirubicin, daunorubicin and idarubicin intercalate DNA and poison topoisomerase II. They anchor AC/EC in breast cancer, CHOP in lymphoma, 7+3 in AML and doxorubicin-ifosfamide in sarcoma. Cumulative doses above about 450 mg/m² doxorubicin cause cardiomyopathy, and even lower doses matter in children and with trastuzumab, which motivates anthracycline-free regimens (TCHP, docetaxel-cyclophosphamide), dexrazoxane, liposomal formulations and cardiac surveillance. They also cause alopecia, myelosuppression, and secondary leukaemia (topoisomerase-related, 1-2%), and as ADC payloads they are being revisited.

Category
Treatment jargon

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