| anthracycline | <oncology, pharmacology> Drugs which are used in leukaemia therapy to prevent cell division by disrupting the structure of the DNA. Drugs of this type include Daunorubicin, Doxorubicin (Adriamycin), Epirubicin, Idarubicin. See: chemotherapy. (13 Oct 1997) |
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| anthracyclines | Organic compounds that have a tetrahydronaphthacenedione ring structure attached by a glycosidic linkage to the amino sugar daunosamine. (12 Dec 1998) |
| antibiotics, anthracycline | Antibiotics which have a tetrahydronaphthacenedione ring structure attached by a glycosidic linkage to a sugar molecule. These antibiotics have potent antineoplastic activity. The two best known members of this group are daunorubicin and doxorubicin. Since these agents intercalate with DNA, many DNA functions are adversely affected. Futhermore they interact with cell membranes thereby altering their functions and also generate hydrogen peroxide and hydroxy radicals which are highly destructive to cells. (12 Dec 1998) |
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