(daunorubicin) has antimitotic and cytotoxic activity through a number of proposed mechanisms of action. (daunorubicin) forms complexes with DNA by intercalation between base pairs. It inhibits topoisomerase II activity by stabilizing the DNA-topoisomerase II complex, preventing the religation portion of the ligation-religation reaction that topoisomerase II catalyzes. Single strand and double strand DNA breaks result.

(daunorubicin) may also inhibit polymerase activity, affect regulation of gene expression, and produce free radical damage to DNA.

(daunorubicin) possesses an antitumor effect against a wide spectrum of animal tumors, either grafted or spontaneous.

INDICATION

Daunorubicin hydrochloride injection in combination with other approved anticancer drugs is indicated for remission induction in acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (myelogenous, monocytic, erythroid) of adults and for remission induction in acute lymphocytic leukemia of children and adults.