[A copolymer conjugate of the anthracycline antineoplastic antibiotic doxorubicin and the water-soluble polymer N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide (HPMA). Doxorubicin intercalates between base pairs in the DNA helix, thereby preventing DNA replication and ultimately inhibiting protein synthesis. Additionally, doxorubicin inhibits topoisomerase II which results in an increased and stabilized cleavable enzyme-DNA linked complex during DNA replication and subsequently prevents the ligation of the nucleotide strand after double-strand breakage. Doxorubicin also forms oxygen free radicals resulting in cytotoxicity secondary to lipid peroxidation of cell membrane lipids. Conjugation with HPMA improves the therapeutic effects of doxorubicin, by promoting drug accumulation inside tumors, while decreasing systemic toxicity. ( NCI )]
UMLS (NCI) C0114882 - Organic Chemical
- Pharmacologic Substance