Adriamycin
(generic name - Doxorubicin hydrochloride) Ð is an anthracycline
antibiotic, a cytotoxic
agent that selectively kills malignant
cells and causes tumor
regression. The method of isolation of doxorubicin was described
in the US Patent No. 3,590,028 issued in 1971. The Patent protection
for Adriamycin is expired. Doxorubicin binds to the DNA,
and presumably inhibits nucleic
acid synthesis. Pharmacia Upjohn currently manufactures the
drug ADRIAMYCIN RDF™ for intravenous injection. It is clinically
effective against disseminated
neoplastic conditions including acute lymphoblastic and myeloblastic
leukemia, Wilm's
tumor, neuroblastoma, soft tissue and bone sarcomas,
breast carcinoma,
ovarian carcinoma, transitional cell bladder carcinoma, thyroid
carcinoma, Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma, bronchogenic
carcinoma and gastric
carcinoma. The drug shows a remarkable toxicity.
