Idarubicin Explained

Idarubicin or 4-demethoxydaunorubicin is an anthracycline antileukemic drug. It inserts^[1] itself into DNA and prevents DNA unwinding by interfering with the enzyme topoisomerase II. It is an analog of daunorubicin, but the absence of a methoxy group increases its fat solubility and cellular uptake.^[2] Similar to other anthracyclines, it also induces histone eviction from chromatin.^[3]

It belongs to the family of drugs called antitumor antibiotics.

It is currently combined with cytosine arabinoside as a first line treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.^[4]

It is used for treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and chronic myelogenous leukemia in blast crisis.^[5]

It is distributed under the trade names Zavedos (UK) and Idamycin (USA).

Side effects

Diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting are common among patients treated with idarubicin.^[6]

External links

• Idarubicin bound to proteins in the PDB

Notes and References

1. Miller JP, Stoodley RJ . Studies directed towards anthracyclinone syntheses: The use of d-glucose as a chiral auxiliary in asymmetric Diels–Alder reactions . J. Saudi Chem. Soc. . 17 . 29–42 . 2013 . 10.1016/j.jscs.2011.02.019. free .
2. Web site: Idamycin Package insert . Pfizer . January 2006 .
3. Pang B, Qiao X, Janssen L, Velds A, Groothuis T, Kerkhoven R, Nieuwland M, Ovaa H, Rottenberg S, van Tellingen O, Janssen J, Huijgens P, Zwart W, Neefjes J . 6 . Drug-induced histone eviction from open chromatin contributes to the chemotherapeutic effects of doxorubicin . Nature Communications . 4 . 1908 . 2013 . 23715267 . 3674280 . 10.1038/ncomms2921 . 2013NatCo...4.1908P .
4. Arwanih EY, Louisa M, Rinaldi I, Wanandi SI . Resistance Mechanism of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells Against Daunorubicin and Cytarabine: A Literature Review . Cureus . 14 . 12 . e33165 . December 2022 . 36726936 . 10.7759/cureus.33165 . free . 9885730 .
5. Book: Basic & clinical pharmacology. Katzung BG . 9781259641152. 1009849139. 2017-11-30 . McGraw-Hill Education .
6. Web site: Idarubicin Side Effects: Common, Severe, Long Term. Drugs.com. en. 2019-06-21.