HyDOX

HyDOX is a proprietary polymer-drug conjugate developed by Meditech Research (later acquired by Alchemia) that covalently links the cytotoxic anthracycline doxorubicin to hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid). This formulation is designed to improve the therapeutic index of doxorubicin by targeting cancer cells that over-express CD44, the primary cell-surface receptor for hyaluronan. Upon binding to CD44, the conjugate is internalized via receptor-mediated endocytosis, releasing doxorubicin intracellularly to intercalate DNA and inhibit topoisomerase II. A key clinical feature of HyDOX is its potential to significantly reduce doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity; the hyaluronan component acts as a free-radical scavenger, protecting cardiac tissue from oxidative damage. Preclinical studies demonstrated a three-fold reduction in heart damage compared to conventional doxorubicin formulations. HyDOX completed Phase I human safety studies for the treatment of solid tumors and haematological malignancies in the mid-2000s.

Brand names

HyDOX

Other names

HA-doxorubicinhyaluronan-doxorubicinhyaluronan-doxorubicin conjugate