Idarubicin HCl (Synonyms: 4Demethoxydaunorubicin, 4DMD, NSC 256439)

Idarubicin is an inhibitor of DNA topoisomerase II [1].

Idarubicin is a synthetic anthracycline anticancer drug widely used in the treatment of acute myelogenous leukemia and some other hematological malignancies. It can be bioactivated by NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase with resulting formation of single-strand breaks in DNA. This is the mechanism of Idarubicin ‘s antitumor effect [2].

Idarubicin is developed in an attempt to reduce the cardiotoxicity and enhance the therapeutic efficacy of the parent compound. Unlike the parent compound, Idarubicin can be given orally and has a better therapeutic index with respect to cardiotoxicity. Idarubicin has been shown to be an effective anti-leukemic agent in children and adults [3].

References:
[1] H. Dorota Halicka, M. Fevzi Ozkaynak, Oya Levendoglu-Tugal, Claudio Sandoval , Karen Seiter, Malgorzata Kajstura, Frank Traganos, Somasunadaram Jayabose, and Zbigniew Darzynkiewicz. DNA damage response as a biomarker in treatment of leukemias. Cell Cycle. 2009, 8(11): 1720–1724.
[2] Haydar Çelik and Emel Arinç. Evaluation of the Protective Effects of Quercetin, Rutin, Resveratrol, Naringenin and Trolox Against Idarubicin-Induced DNA Damage. J Pharm Pharmaceut Sci. 2010, 13(2): 231 – 241.
[3] Ching-Hon Pui, Siebold S. N. de Graaf, Lois W. Dow, John H. Rodman, William E. Evans, Bruce S. Alpert and Sharon B. Murphy. Phase I Clinical Trial of Orally Administered 4-Demethoxydaunorubicin (Idarubicin) with Pharmacokinetic and in Vitro Drug Sensitivity Testing in Children with Refractory Leukemia. Cancer Research. 1988, 48: 5348-5352.