What is an example of an anthracycline chemotherapy agent?

What is an example of an anthracycline chemotherapy agent?

• A. Doxorubicin
• B. Paclitaxel
• C. Cisplatin
• D. Methotrexate

Answer: (A)

Anthracyclines are a group of chemotherapy drugs that work by intercalating into DNA and inhibiting topoisomerase II, which disrupts DNA replication and causes DNA damage leading to cancer cell death. Doxorubicin is a classic example of this class, as it intercalates into DNA and inhibits topoisomerase II, with additional generation of free radicals to amplify DNA damage. The other drugs listed belong to different categories: paclitaxel is a taxane that stabilizes microtubules to stop cell division; cisplatin is a platinum-based agent that creates DNA crosslinks; methotrexate is an antimetabolite that inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, blocking nucleotide synthesis. Doxorubicin’s mechanism and class fit the description of an anthracycline.

Anthracyclines are a group of chemotherapy drugs that work by intercalating into DNA and inhibiting topoisomerase II, which disrupts DNA replication and causes DNA damage leading to cancer cell death. Doxorubicin is a classic example of this class, as it intercalates into DNA and inhibits topoisomerase II, with additional generation of free radicals to amplify DNA damage. The other drugs listed belong to different categories: paclitaxel is a taxane that stabilizes microtubules to stop cell division; cisplatin is a platinum-based agent that creates DNA crosslinks; methotrexate is an antimetabolite that inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, blocking nucleotide synthesis. Doxorubicin’s mechanism and class fit the description of an anthracycline.