How it Works

Daunorubicin is an antibiotic produced by Streptomyces coeruleorubidis, a member of a class of drugs called anthracyclines. 

To divide and grow, cancer cells must synthesize new DNA. Daunorubicin works by interfering with the enzyme topoisomerase II, which is involved in the synthesis of DNA. When topoisomerase II is inhibited, the cancer cells are unable to synthesize new DNA and they are unable to divide and grow. As a result, the cancer cells die.

How it’s Administered

• Is given intravenously (IV, through a vein). Daunorubicin is usually given once or twice weekly for 3 to 6 doses.

Who Should Take Daunorubicin 

• Patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
• Is indicated in the initial treatment of myeloblastic and acute lymphoblastic leukemias
• Is also used for remission induction in acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (myelogenous, monocytic, erythroid) of adults and children

Who Shouldn’t Take Daunorubicin 

• People who are allergic to the medication or any of its components.
• Daunorubicin must not be administered to patients who exhibit myocardial lesions 
• Patients above 75 years of age 
• Patients with active infection, febrile patients. Infections should be treated before the start of daunorubicin therapy. 
• Pediatric patients under the age of 12 months
• Pregnant women. It is important to inform your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant before starting treatment, as it may cause harm to the fetus.
• Breastfeeding women should suspend breastfeeding if they start taking this medication. 

The Most Common Side Effects of Taking Daunorubicin Include:

• Medullary aplasia, when the bone marrow stops producing enough blood cells
• Leukopenia (low white blood cell count)
• Elevated levels of uric acid as a consequence of tumor lysis syndrome (when cancer cells break down rapidly, releasing their contents into the bloodstream)
• Injection site reactions 
• Red, red-brown or orange urine after receiving the dose. 
• Nausea and vomiting
• Hair loss
• Fatigue
• Mouth sores

Commonly Used in Acute Myeloid Leukemia With

• Cytarabine: This combination, also known as "7+3," is a standard treatment for AML. It consists of 7 days of treatment with cytarabine followed by 3 days of treatment with daunorubicin.
• All-Trans Retinoic Acid (ATRA), to treat APL
• Arsenic trioxide, to treat APL
• Venetoclax
• Glasdegib
• Gilteritinib, to treat FLT3 mutated AML
• Midostaurin, to treat FLT3 mutated AML
• Sorafenib, to treat FLT3 mutated AML
• Enasidenib, to treat IDH2 mutated AML
• Idosidenib, to treat IDH1 mutated AML
• Etoposide
• Mitoxantrone
• Fludarabine
• Cladribine
• Decitabine
• Gemtuzumab ozogamicin, to treat CD33 positive AML.

TAKE A LOOK AT THE AVAILABLE CLINICAL TRIALS FOR AML

Date last updated: 12/22/22