DaunoXome (NeXstar Pharmaceuticals, b3db14)

DaunoXome is a liposomal formulation of the anthracycline chemotherapy agent daunorubicin, specifically developed to treat advanced HIV-associated Kaposi's sarcoma. Developed by NeXstar Pharmaceuticals (later acquired by Gilead Sciences), the drug consists of daunorubicin citrate encapsulated in small unilamellar liposomes composed of distearoylphosphatidylcholine and cholesterol. This delivery system enhances the drug's therapeutic index by allowing preferential accumulation in tumor tissues with increased vascular permeability, such as Kaposi's sarcoma lesions, while simultaneously reducing the risk of cardiotoxicity associated with conventional daunorubicin. Its primary mechanism of action involves the intercalation of daunorubicin into DNA and the inhibition of topoisomerase II, which prevents DNA replication and transcription, ultimately leading to apoptosis in rapidly dividing malignant cells. It was approved by the FDA as a first-line cytotoxic therapy for advanced HIV-related Kaposi's sarcoma.

Brand names

DaunoXome

Other names

liposomal daunorubicindaunorubicin citrate liposome injectionliposomal daunorubicin citrate