An anthracycline antineoplastic antibiotic isolated from the fungus Streptococcus peucetius var. caesius. Doxorubicin intercalates into DNA and interacts with topoisomerase II, thereby inhibiting DNA replication and repair and RNA and protein synthesis. This agent also produces toxic free-radical intermediates and interacts with cell membrane lipids causing lipid peroxidation. The hydrochloride salt doxorubicin hydrochloride is the therapeutic form of doxorubicin. (NCI04)
