Related pages Drug Information Summaries 1 Approval Process for New Cancer Treatments 2 Access to Investigational Drugs 3

This page contains brief information about doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome and a collection of links to more information about the use of this drug, related research results, and ongoing clinical trials.

US Brand Name(s):		Evacet
		DOXIL
		Dox-SL
		LipoDox
FDA Approved:		Yes

Doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the following types of cancer:

• Ovarian cancer that has gotten worse or recurred (come back) after treatment with platinum -based chemotherapy.
• AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma that has gotten worse after earlier chemotherapy or in patients who were not able to use other drugs.

Doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome is also approved to be used with a drug called bortezomib to treat multiple myeloma after treatment with other chemotherapy.

Doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.

Doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome is a form of doxorubicin hydrochloride contained inside liposomes (very tiny particles of fat). This form may work better than other forms of doxorubicin hydrochloride and have fewer side effects. Also, because its effects last longer in the body, it doesn't need to be given as often. For more information about doxorubicin hydrochloride that may apply to doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome, see the Drug Information Summary for Doxorubicin Hydrochloride ⁴.

FDA Approval for Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome ⁵ - Information from the FDA about the approval of this drug and the clinical trials that led to the approval.

Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary ⁶ - Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.

Clinical Trial Results: Drug Combination Shows Benefit in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma (08/28/2007) ⁷ - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

MedlinePlus Information on Doxorubicin Hydrochloride ⁸ - A lay language summary of important information about this drug that may include the following:

• warnings about this drug,
• what this drug is used for and how it is used,
• what you should tell your doctor before using this drug,
• what you should know about this drug before using it,
• other drugs that may interact with this drug, and
• possible side effects.

Drugs are often studied to find out if they can help treat or prevent conditions other than the ones they are approved for. This NLM patient information sheet applies only to approved uses of the drug. However, much of the information may also apply to unapproved uses that are being studied.

Clinical Trials for Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin Hydrochloride ⁹ - Check for trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry now accepting patients.

Glossary Terms

Certain cancer types that are more likely to occur in people who are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The most common types are Kaposi sarcoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Other AIDS-related cancers include Hodgkin disease and cancers of the lung, mouth, cervix, and digestive system.

A drug used to treat multiple myeloma. It is also used to treat mantle cell lymphoma in patients who have already received at least one other type of treatment and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Bortezomib blocks several molecular pathways in a cell and may cause cancer cells to die. It is a type of proteasome inhibitor and a type of dipeptidyl boronic acid. Also called PS-341 and velcade.

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.

Treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells.

Any substance, other than food, that is used to prevent, diagnose, treat or relieve symptoms of a disease or abnormal condition. Also refers to a substance that alters mood or body function, or that can be habit-forming or addictive, especially a narcotic.

An agency in the U.S. federal government whose mission is to protect public health by making sure that food, cosmetics, and nutritional supplements are safe to use and truthfully labeled. The Food and Drug Administration also makes sure that drugs, medical devices, and equipment are safe and effective, and that blood for transfusions and transplant tissue are safe. Also called FDA.

A type of cancer characterized by the abnormal growth of blood vessels that develop into skin lesions or occur internally.

A drug preparation that contains the active drug inside very tiny, fat-like particles. This form is easier for the body to absorb and allows more drug to get to the target area of the body, such as a tumor. Liposomal drugs may have fewer side effects and work better than other forms of the drug.

A type of cancer that begins in plasma cells (white blood cells that produce antibodies). Also called Kahler disease, myelomatosis, and plasma cell myeloma.

Cancer that forms in tissues of the ovary (one of a pair of female reproductive glands in which the ova, or eggs, are formed). Most ovarian cancers are either ovarian epithelial carcinomas (cancer that begins in the cells on the surface of the ovary) or malignant germ cell tumors (cancer that begins in egg cells).

A metal that is an important component of some anticancer drugs, such as cisplatin and carboplatin.

Cancer that has recurred (come back), usually after a period of time during which the cancer could not be detected. The cancer may come back to the same place as the original (primary) tumor or to another place in the body. Also called recurrence.