Pirarubicin (PRB)

Pirarubicin is an anthracycline drug. An analogue of the anthracycline antineoplastic antibiotic doxorubicin. Pirarubicin intercalates into DNA and interacts with topoisomerase II, thereby inhibiting DNA replication and repair and RNA and protein synthesis.

This agent is less cardiotoxic than doxorubicin and exhibits activity against some doxorubicin-resistant cell lines. Doxorubicin containing combination chemotherapy regimens are widely used for treatment of breast and other cancers. However, these regimens are associated with significant toxicities including myocardial dysfunction and alopecia. Analogues of doxorubicin are being developed to reduce these side effects.