Daunorubicin

Daunorubicin or daunomycin (trade name Cerubidine) is chemotherapeutic of the anthracycline family that is given as a treatment for some types of cancer. It is most commonly used to treat specific types of leukemia (acute myeloid leukemia and acute lymphocytic leukemia). It was initially isolated from Streptomyces peucetius.

A liposomal formulation of daunorubicin, liposomal daunorubicin, is marketed in the United States as DaunoXome.

It is on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, the most important medications needed in a basic health system.

Medical uses

It slows or stops the growth of cancer cells in the body. Treatment is usually performed together with other chemotherapy drugs (such as cytarabine), and its administration depends on the type of tumor and the degree of response.

In addition to its major use in treating AML, daunorubicin is also used to treat neuroblastoma. Daunorubicin has been used with other chemotherapy agents to treat the blastic phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia.