Doxlox Mechanism of Action

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Cytotoxic agents (anthracyclines and related substances).
Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics: Mechanism of action: The active ingredient of doxorubicin is doxorubicin hydrochloride, a cytotoxic anthracycline antibiotic obtained from Streptomyces peucetius var. caesius. The exact mechanism of the antitumour activity of doxorubicin is not known. It is generally believed that inhibition of DNA, RNA and protein synthesis is responsible for the majority of the cytotoxic effects. This is probably the result of intercalation of the anthracycline between adjacent base pairs of the DNA double helix thus preventing their unwinding for replication.
Pharmacokinetics: Doxorubicin is a long-circulating pegylated liposomal formulation of doxorubicin hydrochloride. Pegylated liposomes contain surface-grafted segments of the hydrophilic polymer methoxypolyethylene glycol (MPEG). These linear MPEG groups extend from the liposome surface creating a protective coating that reduces interactions between the lipid bilayer membrane and the plasma components. This allows the doxorubicin liposomes to circulate for prolonged periods in the blood stream. Pegylated liposomes are small enough (average diameter of approximately 100 nm) to pass intact (extravasate) through defective blood vessels supplying tumours. Evidence of penetration of pegylated liposomes from blood vessels and their entry and accumulation in tumours has been seen in mice with C-26 colon carcinoma tumours and in transgenic mice with KS-like lesions. The pegylated liposomes also have a low permeability lipid matrix and internal aqueous buffer system that combine to keep doxorubicin hydrochloride encapsulated during liposome residence time in circulation.
The plasma pharmacokinetics of doxorubicin in humans differ significantly from those reported in the literature for standard doxorubicin hydrochloride preparations. At lower doses (10 mg/m² - 20 mg/m²) doxorubicin displayed linear pharmacokinetics. Over the dose range of 10 mg/m²-60 mg/m² doxorubicin displayed non-linear pharmacokinetics. Standard doxorubicin hydrochloride displays extensive tissue distribution (volume of distribution: 700 to 1,100 l/m²) and a rapid elimination clearance (24 to 73 l/h/m²). In contrast, the pharmacokinetic profile of doxorubicin indicates that doxorubicin is confined mostly to the vascular fluid volume and that the clearance of doxorubicin from the blood is dependent upon the liposomal carrier. Doxorubicin becomes available after the liposomes are extravasated and enter the tissue compartment.
At equivalent doses, the plasma concentration and AUC values of doxorubicin which represent mostly pegylated liposomal doxorubicin hydrochloride (containing 90% to 95% of the measured doxorubicin) are significantly higher than those achieved with standard doxorubicin hydrochloride preparations. Doxorubicin should not be used interchangeably with other formulations of doxorubicin hydrochloride.