What kind of agents are doxorubicin and etoposide classified as?

Doxorubicin and etoposide are classified as topoisomerase inhibitors because they interfere with the action of topoisomerases, which are enzymes that play a crucial role in DNA replication and maintenance. Topoisomerases introduce or remove supercoils in DNA to relieve torsional strain during replication and transcription.

Doxorubicin, an anthracycline antibiotic, stabilizes topoisomerase II-DNA complexes, which prevents the proper relegation of DNA strands, ultimately leading to DNA damage and cell death, particularly in rapidly dividing cancer cells. Similarly, etoposide inhibits topoisomerase II, disrupting the normal process of DNA replication. This mechanism is effective in treating various cancers, as it specifically targets the DNA machinery necessary for cell division.

Understanding the function of topoisomerase inhibitors is essential in cancer therapy, as they exploit the high rate of proliferation in cancer cells, making the replication process more vulnerable to disruption. This targeted approach helps in selectively damaging cancer cells while minimizing effects on normal cells.