Drug Detail

Information about Adriamycin + Gleevec

Generic Name	Doxorubicin + Imatinib
IND	Doxorubicin + STI571
Brand Name (US)	Adriamycin + Gleevec
Manufacturer	Pharmacia & Upjohn + Novartis
Drug Type	Chemotherapy + Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor
Delivery	Oral + Intravenous
Approval Status	Gleevec is approved for GIST. This combination was evaluated in a phase 1/2 trial for GIST.
Indications	Various leukemia's and solid tumors
Overall Strategy	GIST cell based
Strategy	Block KIT + Traditional chemotherapy
Drug Category	Chemotherapy + KIT/PDGFRA inhibitor

Doxorubicin, trade name Adriamycin, is a drug used in cancer chemotherapy. It is commonly used in the treatment of a wide range of cancers, including hematological malignancies, many types of carcinoma, and soft tissue sarcomas.

The drug is administered intravenously. It may be sold under the brand names Adriamycin PFS, Adriamycin RDF, or Rubex.[2] Doxil is a liposome-encapsulated form of doxorubicin made by Ben Venue Laboratories for Johnson & Johnson. The main benefits of this form are a reduction in cardiotoxicity. It is photosensitive and it is often covered by an aluminum bag to prevent light from affecting it.
Acute side-effects of doxorubicin can include nausea, vomiting, and heart arrhythmias. It can also cause neutropenia (a decrease in white blood cells), as well as complete alopecia (hair loss). When the cumulative dose of doxorubicin reaches 550 mg/m², the risks of developing cardiac side effects, including congestive heart failure, dilated cardiomyopathy, and death, dramatically increase. Additionally, some patients may develop Palmar plantar erythrodysesthesia, or, "Hand-Foot Syndrome," characterized by skin eruptions on the palms of the hand or soles of the feet, characterized by swelling, pain and erythema.

Due to these side effects and its red color, doxorubicin has earned the nickname "red devil."

Doxorubucin can also cause reactivation of Hepatitis B.

Imatinib is the front-line therapy for GIST. See the drug record for imatinib.