alvocidib

Alvocidib is a synthetic flavonoid and a potent, broad-spectrum cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor, most notably targeting CDK9. It is structurally based on the natural product rohitukine, originally extracted from Aphanamixis polystachya. Alvocidib acts by inhibiting CDKs involved in cell cycle progression and transcriptional regulation, leading to cell cycle arrest (primarily at G1) and apoptosis in cancer cells. Its primary mechanism involves inhibition of positive transcription elongation factor P-TEFb via CDK9 blockade, resulting in loss of mRNA production. Alvocidib has been studied mainly for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but also for other hematologic malignancies and conditions such as arthritis and atherosclerosis. The drug has received orphan drug designation from the FDA for AML but is not approved for any indication as of June 2025[1][2][4][5].

Brand names

alvocidib

Other names

flavopiridolalvocidib freebase