acerbicin

Acerbicin is an **anthracycline antibiotic** structurally similar to doxorubicin but distinguished as a 4'-epimer. It was investigated primarily as an **anticancer agent**, especially for solid tumors. Acerbicin works by intercalating DNA and inhibiting **topoisomerase II**, which leads to disruption of DNA replication and ultimately cell death. Like other anthracyclines, it is cytotoxic and was studied for intravenous administration in various cancer indications (notably breast cancer and other solid tumors), but clinical development was halted due to lack of efficacy and concerns about cardiotoxicity common to anthracyclines. It was initially developed and studied by Shionogi.

Other names

4'-epidoxorubicinepidoxorubicin4'-epi-doxorubicin