Mitoxantrone is an anthracycline antineoplastic agent used in the treatment of certain types of cancer, mostly metastatic breast cancer, acute myeloid leukemia, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Mitoxantrone is also used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS), most notably the subset known as secondary progressive MS. Mitoxantrone will not cure multiple sclerosis, but is effective in slowing the progression of secondary progressive MS and extending the time between relapses in relapsing-remitting MS and progressive relapsing MS.^[1]

Mechanism of action

Mitoxantrone is a type II topoisomerase inhibitor; it disrupts DNA synthesis and DNA repair in both healthy cells and cancer cells.

Side effects

As other drugs in its class, mitoxantrone may cause several adverse reactions of varying severity, such as nausea, vomiting, hair loss, heart damage, and immunosuppression. Some side effects may have delayed onset. Cardiomyopathy is a particularly concerning effect as it is irreversible; regular monitoring with echocardiograms or MUGA scans is recommended for people taking mitoxantrone.

The medication carries a total lifetime dose based on body surface area.^[1]

See also

• Pixantrone, a mitoxantrone analogue under development

Notes