gemcitabine + liposome-encapsulated doxorubicin citrate

Gemcitabine + liposome-encapsulated doxorubicin citrate is a combination chemotherapy regimen evaluated by the Medical University Innsbruck for the treatment of platinum-resistant or platinum-refractory gynecologic cancers. Gemcitabine (Gemzar) is a nucleoside analog that acts as an antimetabolite; it is phosphorylated intracellularly into active metabolites that inhibit ribonucleotide reductase and compete with deoxycytidine triphosphate for incorporation into DNA, leading to chain termination. Myocet is a non-pegylated liposomal formulation of doxorubicin citrate, an anthracycline that exerts its cytotoxic effects by intercalating between DNA base pairs and inhibiting topoisomerase II, which prevents DNA ligation and induces double-strand breaks. This combination was specifically studied in a Phase II trial (AGO-OVAR 2.9) to determine if the dual-action approach provides superior clinical outcomes compared to Myocet monotherapy in patients with epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancers.

Brand names

GemzarMyocet

Other names

gemcitabine hydrochlorideliposome-encapsulated doxorubicin citratenon-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin