Daunorubicin – Leukemia Treatment

Daunorubicin is an antitumor antibiotic from the anthracycline group, produced by the microorganisms Streptomyces peucetius. The drug is a key component of induction chemotherapy for acute leukemias, possessing significant cytotoxic activity against rapidly dividing blood cells.

The mechanism of action of daunorubicin is multifaceted. It binds to DNA through intercalation (insertion between base pairs), which disrupts nucleic acid synthesis. The drug also inhibits the topoisomerase II enzyme, causing DNA strand breaks, and stimulates the formation of free radicals that damage cell membranes. This leads to cell cycle arrest and triggers apoptosis (programmed cell death) of malignant cells.

The drug is administered strictly intravenously. Its use requires high precision, as daunorubicin exhibits cumulative cardiotoxicity, which limits the total lifetime dose a patient can receive.

Wikipedia page
Daunorubicin

Indications

Daunorubicin is the drug of choice for treating aggressive hematological malignancies:

  • Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): induction of remission in adults and children (often as part of the "7+3" protocol).
  • Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): as part of combination chemotherapy regimens.
  • Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: during the blast crisis phase.
  • Neuroblastoma: used in some pediatric cases as part of complex therapy.

Dosage and administration

Daunorubicin dosage is calculated by an oncohematologist based on body surface area and the specific treatment protocol.

  • Dosing Regimen: typically 30–60 mg/m² per day. The duration of the course (e.g., 3 consecutive days) depends on the type of leukemia.
  • Administration Method: administered strictly intravenously (infusion or bolus). Extravasation (leakage into surrounding tissue) causes severe tissue necrosis.
  • Cardiac Monitoring: EKG and Echocardiogram monitoring to assess left ventricular ejection fraction is mandatory before and during treatment.
  • Cumulative Dose: the total lifetime dose should generally not exceed 450–550 mg/m² to prevent heart failure.
  • Renal Protection: vigorous hydration and allopurinol are often prescribed to prevent tumor lysis syndrome.

The use of daunorubicin is impossible or requires extreme caution in the following conditions:

  • Heart Disease: recent myocardial infarction, severe arrhythmias, or heart failure.
  • Bone Marrow Suppression: severe leukopenia or thrombocytopenia not related to the primary disease.
  • Hepatic and Renal Impairment: severe dysfunction of these organs.
  • Infections: acute infectious diseases in the active phase.
  • Pregnancy: the drug has high teratogenic activity; breastfeeding is prohibited.
  • Previous Therapy: having reached the maximum cumulative dose with other anthracyclines (e.g., doxorubicin).

Daunorubicin has a specific toxicity profile characteristic of anthracycline antibiotics:

  • Hematologic: profound myelosuppression (reduction in all blood cell counts), risk of bleeding and infections.
  • Cardiotoxicity: heart muscle damage that may manifest months or years after treatment.
  • Gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting, mucositis (mouth sores), and diarrhea.
  • Dermatologic: complete alopecia (hair loss), darkening of nails and skin folds.
  • Urine Discoloration: the drug may turn urine reddish for 1-2 days after administration (this is harmless).

Frequently Asked Questions

Daunorubicin is an anthracycline antineoplastic antibiotic. It works by inhibiting DNA and RNA synthesis in cancer cells, preventing them from dividing. It is primarily used for induction therapy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL).
Original brands can be hard to find or significantly more expensive. Unifarm offers high-quality Indian generics (e.g., Daunotec or Daunocin) containing the same active ingredient in 20 mg vials. These are manufactured according to international standards and provide the same therapeutic effect at a lower cost.
The drug is administered strictly intravenously via infusion under the supervision of an oncologist. It is crucial to prevent the solution from leaking outside the vein (extravasation), as this can cause tissue damage. The dosing regimen is typically calculated based on the patient's body surface area.
Common side effects include nausea, hair loss (alopecia), and a temporary drop in blood counts (neutropenia, thrombocytopenia). A key characteristic of anthracyclines is potential cardiotoxicity, so heart function (ECG, Echo) must be monitored before and during therapy.
Yes, daunorubicin is red, and for 1–2 days after administration, your urine may take on a reddish or pinkish tint. This is a normal occurrence as the drug is excreted from the body and is not a sign of blood in the urine.
We offer Indian daunorubicin generics at the most affordable prices. The price per 20 mg vial is listed on our website. We guarantee product authenticity and strict compliance with storage conditions during transport.
You can place an order via the shopping cart on the Unifarm website or by phone. We provide fast delivery to all regions of Ukraine. Please note that the medication requires special transport conditions, which we fully guarantee.

List of medicines by active substance Daunorubicin

-17%
Daunotec 20 mg Cipla
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Cipla

Daunotec

Daunorubicin
20 mg 1 vial
1099₴ 1318₴
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