Daunorubicin
Daunorubicin is used to treat acute nonlymphocytic leukemiaA cancer affecting the cells that develop into white or red blood cells. Both of these cell types originate from stem cells in bone marrow. Red blood cells function to carry oxygen to our tissues and the white cells (leukocytes) are part of our immune system. The cancerous cells often accumulate in the blood. in adults and acute lymphocytic leukemia in adults and children. It is administered in an intravenous infusion.1
Daunorubicin (Cerubidine®) is an anti tumor antibiotic that exerts its effects on cancer cells primarily through two mechanisms. Intercalation occurs when the drug wedges between the bases of DNAAbbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid. Composed of very long strings of nucleotides, which are abbreviated as A, C, G and T. DNA is the storage form of our genetic material. All of the instructions for the production of proteins are encoded in our DNA. . This blocks DNA from being copied (replicationThe process by which DNA is duplicated. DNA replication occurs during the S phase (synthesis) of the cell cycle. Many chemotherapy drugs act during DNA replication. Some are incorporated into the newly replicated DNA and cause problems. Others interfere with enzymes necessary for DNA replication. See topoisomerase.) or being used to make proteins. The drug also inhibits (reduce) the activity of an enzymeA protein that speeds up the process of chemical reactions in the body without becoming altered in the process. Almost every biological process is driven by the activity of enzymes. Without enzyme catalysts, the complex reactions that build and break down cell parts would not happen at a rate compatible with life. Enzyme names usually describe the reaction that is being catalyzed and all of them end in -ase., topoisomeraseAn enzyme that cuts double stranded DNA to reduce tension created during local unwinding of the helix. Unwinding of DNA is required for transcription, translation and replication. Chemotherapy drugs such as topotecan and etoposide (VP-16) inhibit topoisomerases. type II. This leads to breaks in the genomic DNA.1
The structure below shows the molecular diagram of Daunorubicin.
Common side effects include: bone marrow suppression, nausea and vomiting (near time of treatment), hair loss, infection due to bone marrow suppression, abdominal cramps and diarrhea.1
Daunorubicin should not be taken by women who are pregnant and patients should not become pregnant while using this drug, as it may have harmful affects on the developing fetus. This drug may have effects on fertility after treatment has ended. Patients should note that after an infusion the urine may have a temporary red tinting. Daunorubicin is a strong suppressor of bone marrow activity. It is important to monitor blood cell and platelet counts throughout the duration of treatment. Daunorubicin may also have toxic effects on other systems, therefore, renal (kidney) function, and hepatic (liver) function tests should be performed routinely. Also, cardiac function must be monitored to avoid irreversible effects of toxicity. Evaluations of the function of these systems should be made before each infusion.1
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