Brands, Medical Use, Clinical Data
Drug Category
Dosage Forms
Brands / Synonyms
Acridinyl Anisidide; AMSA P-D; Amsidine; Amsidyl; Amsine; M-AMSA; MAMSA
Indications
For treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia.
Pharmacology
Amsacrine is an aminoacridine derivative that is a potent intercalating antineoplastic agent. It is effective in the treatment of acute leukemias and malignant lymphomas, but has poor activity in the treatment of solid tumors. It is frequently used in combination with other antineoplastic agents in chemotherapy protocols. It produces consistent but acceptable myelosuppression and cardiotoxic effects.
Mechanism of Action
Amsacrine binds to DNA through intercalation and external binding. It has a base specificity for A-T pairs. Rapidly dividing cells are two to four times more sensitive to amsacrine than are resting cells. Amsacrine appears to cleave DNA by inducing double stranded breaks. Amsacrine also targets and inhibits topoisomerase II. Cytotoxicity is greatest during the S phase of the cell cycle when topoisomerase levels are at a maximum.
Absorption
Poorly absorbed
Toxicity
Symptoms of overdose include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, some cardiotoxicity (rarely).
Biotrnasformation / Drug Metabolism
Extensive, primarily hepatic, converted to glutathione conjugate.
Contraindications
Avoid using with patients suffering bone marrow depression
Drug Interactions
Not Available
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