| epirubicin | <chemical> An anthracycline antibiotic which is the 4'-epi-isomer of doxorubicin. The compound exerts its antitumour effects by interference with the synthesis and function of DNA. Clinical studies indicate activity in breast cancer, non-hodgkin's lymphomas, ovarian cancer, soft-tissue sarcomas, pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, small-cell lung cancer and acute leukaemia. It is equal in activity to doxorubicin but exhibits less acute toxicities and less cardiotoxicity. Pharmacological action: antibiotics, anthracycline. Chemical name: 5,12-Naphthacenedione, 10-((3-amino-2,3,6-trideoxy-alpha-L-arabino-hexopyranosyl)oxy)-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-6,8,11-trihydroxy-8-(hydroxyacetyl)-1-methoxy-, (8S-cis)- (12 Dec 1998) |
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