amonafide

Amonafide is a synthetic small molecule antineoplastic agent belonging to the naphthalimide class. It acts as a DNA intercalating agent and inhibitor of topoisomerase II (specifically targeting both topoisomerase II-alpha and II-beta), thereby disrupting DNA replication and transcription in cancer cells. Unlike classical topoisomerase II inhibitors that induce apoptosis through extensive DNA damage, amonafide induces apoptosis by disrupting chromatin organization independently of ATP. It has also demonstrated the ability to evade P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance mechanisms. Amonafide was primarily developed for the treatment of various cancers including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), particularly secondary AML[1][2][3][5]. The drug received orphan drug status in both the US and EU for AML and was granted FDA Fast Track status for secondary AML[3]. Clinical development was discontinued after Phase III trials failed to meet primary efficacy endpoints in secondary AML[2][3].

Brand names

QuinamedXanafide

Other names

amonafide L-malatebenzisoquinolinedione