Doxorubicin Hydrochloride, Liposomal

This article examines recent clinical trials investigating the use of Doxorubicin Hydrochloride, Liposomal in treating various types of cancer. Doxorubicin Hydrochloride, Liposomal is a chemotherapy drug encapsulated in tiny fat particles called liposomes, which allows it to target cancer cells more effectively while potentially reducing side effects. The trials discussed explore its efficacy in breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and other malignancies, often in combination with other treatments.

Table of Contents

What is DOXORUBICIN HYDROCHLORIDE, LIPOSOMAL?

DOXORUBICIN HYDROCHLORIDE, LIPOSOMAL is a chemotherapy medication used to treat various types of cancer. It is a special formulation of the drug doxorubicin, which is encased in tiny fat bubbles called liposomes. This liposomal form allows the medication to be delivered more effectively to cancer cells while potentially reducing some side effects[1].

The medication is also known by several other names, including:

  • Liposomal doxorubicin
  • Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin
  • Caelyx
  • Doxil

How does it work?

DOXORUBICIN HYDROCHLORIDE, LIPOSOMAL works by interfering with the DNA in cancer cells, preventing them from growing and dividing. The liposomal formulation helps the medication stay in the bloodstream longer and accumulate more effectively in tumor tissues[1].

What is it used for?

This medication is used to treat several types of cancer, including:

  • Ovarian cancer: Particularly in cases where the cancer has returned or progressed after initial platinum-based chemotherapy[2]
  • Breast cancer: Especially in advanced or metastatic cases[2]
  • Multiple myeloma: A type of blood cancer
  • AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma: A type of cancer that causes patches of abnormal tissue to grow under the skin

How is it administered?

DOXORUBICIN HYDROCHLORIDE, LIPOSOMAL is typically given as an intravenous infusion. This means it is delivered directly into your bloodstream through a vein. The infusion is usually given over a period of time, which can range from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the specific dosage and treatment plan[3].

Dosage information

The dosage of DOXORUBICIN HYDROCHLORIDE, LIPOSOMAL can vary depending on several factors, including the type of cancer being treated, the patient’s body surface area, and their overall health. Some common dosage ranges include:

  • 40-50 mg/m² (milligrams per square meter of body surface area) every 4 weeks[3]
  • Up to 75 mg/m² in some cases[4]

The total treatment duration can last up to 24 months in some cases, but this can vary based on the individual treatment plan and response to therapy[5].

Potential side effects

Like all medications, DOXORUBICIN HYDROCHLORIDE, LIPOSOMAL can cause side effects. Some potential side effects include:

  • Fatigue
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Hair loss
  • Mouth sores
  • Skin reactions (rash, redness, or peeling on hands and feet)
  • Low blood cell counts (which can increase risk of infection or bleeding)
  • Heart problems (in rare cases)

It’s important to discuss potential side effects with your healthcare provider, as they can provide guidance on managing these effects and may adjust your treatment if necessary[5].

Precautions and considerations

Before receiving DOXORUBICIN HYDROCHLORIDE, LIPOSOMAL, it’s important to inform your healthcare provider about:

  • Any allergies or previous reactions to medications
  • All other medications, supplements, or herbal products you’re taking
  • Any history of heart problems
  • Pregnancy or plans to become pregnant
  • Breastfeeding

Regular monitoring, including blood tests and heart function tests, may be necessary during treatment[6].

Ongoing research

DOXORUBICIN HYDROCHLORIDE, LIPOSOMAL continues to be studied in various clinical trials. Some ongoing research includes:

  • Investigating its use in combination with other cancer treatments
  • Exploring its effectiveness in different types of cancer
  • Studying ways to further reduce side effects and improve patient outcomes

For example, one study is comparing the combination of DOXORUBICIN HYDROCHLORIDE, LIPOSOMAL with carboplatin to other standard treatments in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer[6].

If you’re interested in participating in a clinical trial or learning more about ongoing research, discuss this with your healthcare provider or visit reputable clinical trial registries for more information.

Trial Focus Cancer Types Key Points
Combination therapy HR+/HER2- breast cancer – Comparing MK-2870 alone or with pembrolizumab to standard chemotherapy – Evaluating progression-free survival, overall survival, and quality of life
Immunotherapy combination HR+/HER2- breast cancer – Assessing pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy vs. placebo plus chemotherapy – Focusing on patients with specific PD-L1 expression levels
Targeted therapy Platinum-resistant ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancers – Testing raludotatug deruxtecan, a CDH6-directed antibody-drug conjugate – Comparing to standard chemotherapy options
Novel combination Low-grade serous ovarian cancer – Evaluating avutometinib plus defactinib vs. standard treatments – Assessing efficacy in patients with specific genetic mutations
Personalized medicine Relapsed ovarian cancer and metastatic breast cancer – Using zAvatar test to guide treatment decisions – Comparing test-guided therapy to standard of care
Targeted therapy Recurrent ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancers – Investigating mirvetuximab soravtansine plus carboplatin – Focusing on patients with high folate receptor alpha expression

Ongoing Clinical Trials on Doxorubicin Hydrochloride, Liposomal

  • Study of patritumab deruxtecan versus drug combination in patients with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer

    Recruiting

    3 1 1 1
    France Germany Greece Hungary Italy Poland +1
  • Comparing AZD5335 with Mirvetuximab Soravtansine or a drug combination in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer

    Recruiting

    3 1 1 1
    Belgium Czechia Denmark France Germany Greece +4
  • Study on zAvatar Test for Treatment Decisions in Relapsed Ovarian Cancer and Metastatic Breast Cancer Using Palbociclib and Drug Combination for Eligible Patients

    Recruiting

    3 1 1 1
    Portugal
  • Study Comparing MK-2870 and Pembrolizumab with Chemotherapy for Patients with Advanced Hormone Receptor Positive Breast Cancer

    Recruiting

    3 1 1 1
    Belgium Czechia Denmark France Germany Greece +10
  • Study Comparing Avutometinib and Defactinib with Other Treatments for Patients with Recurrent Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer

    Recruiting

    3 1 1 1
    Investigated diseases:
    Belgium Denmark France Germany Ireland Italy +3
  • Study of Raludotatug Deruxtecan for Patients with Platinum-resistant High-grade Ovarian, Primary Peritoneal, or Fallopian Tube Cancer

    Recruiting

    4 1 1 1
    Czechia Finland France Germany Greece Italy +3
  • Study on Mirvetuximab Soravtansine and Carboplatin for Patients with Recurrent Ovarian Cancer Eligible for Platinum-Based Chemotherapy

    Not recruiting

    2 1 1 1
    Germany
  • Study of Pembrolizumab and Chemotherapy for Patients with HR+/HER2- Advanced Breast Cancer

    Not recruiting

    3 1 1
    Investigated diseases:
    Austria France Germany Greece Hungary Ireland +7

Glossary

  • Liposomal: A drug delivery system where the active ingredient is encapsulated in tiny fat particles called liposomes, which can help target the drug to cancer cells and potentially reduce side effects.
  • Intravenous infusion: A method of administering medication directly into a vein over a period of time.
  • Progression-free survival (PFS): The length of time during and after treatment that a patient lives with cancer without it worsening.
  • Overall survival (OS): The length of time from the start of treatment or diagnosis that patients are still alive.
  • Objective response rate (ORR): The proportion of patients whose cancer shrinks or disappears after treatment.
  • RECIST: Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, a standard way to measure how well a cancer patient responds to treatment.
  • Blinded independent central review (BICR): A method of assessing treatment outcomes where independent experts review patient data without knowing which treatment the patient received.
  • Hormone receptor positive (HR+): Cancer cells that have receptors for either estrogen or progesterone, which can promote cancer growth.
  • HER2-negative: Cancer cells that do not have high levels of a protein called HER2, which can affect treatment options.
  • Platinum-resistant: Cancer that has stopped responding to platinum-based chemotherapy drugs.
  • Folate receptor alpha (FRα): A protein found on some cancer cells that can be targeted by certain drugs.
  • Quality of life (QoL): A measure of a patient's overall well-being and ability to function during cancer treatment.

References

  1. http://clinicaltrials.eu/trial/study-comparing-mk-2870-and-pembrolizumab-with-chemotherapy-for-patients-with-advanced-hormone-receptor-positive-breast-cancer/
  2. http://clinicaltrials.eu/trial/study-of-pembrolizumab-and-chemotherapy-for-patients-with-hr-her2-advanced-breast-cancer/
  3. http://clinicaltrials.eu/trial/study-of-raludotatug-deruxtecan-for-patients-with-platinum-resistant-high-grade-ovarian-primary-peritoneal-or-fallopian-tube-cancer/
  4. http://clinicaltrials.eu/trial/study-comparing-avutometinib-and-defactinib-with-other-treatments-for-patients-with-recurrent-low-grade-serous-ovarian-cancer/
  5. http://clinicaltrials.eu/trial/study-on-zavatar-test-for-treatment-decisions-in-relapsed-ovarian-cancer-and-metastatic-breast-cancer-using-palbociclib-and-drug-combination-for-eligible-patients/
  6. http://clinicaltrials.eu/trial/study-on-mirvetuximab-soravtansine-and-carboplatin-for-patients-with-recurrent-ovarian-cancer-eligible-for-platinum-based-chemotherapy/