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

This page contains brief information about epirubicin hydrochloride 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):		Ellence
FDA Approved:		Yes

Epirubicin hydrochloride is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat early-stage breast cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm. It is used together with other chemotherapy after breast cancer surgery.

Epirubicin hydrochloride is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.

Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary ⁴ - Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.

Clinical Trial Results: Taxane Combinations Marginally Better than Anthracyclines for Metastatic Breast Cancer (05/21/2008) ⁵ - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Anthracyclines Improve Survival for HER2-Positive, But Not HER2-Negative, Breast Cancer (01/30/2008) ⁶ - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Chemotherapy Before Surgery May Increase Survival in Stomach Cancer (07/09/2007) ⁷ - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

MedlinePlus Information on Epirubicin 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 Epirubicin Hydrochloride ⁹ - Check for trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry now accepting patients.

Glossary Terms

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.

Breast cancer that has not spread beyond the breast or the axillary lymph nodes. This includes ductal carcinoma in situ and stage I, stage IIA, stage IIB, and stage IIIA breast cancers.

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 rounded mass of lymphatic tissue that is surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue. Lymph nodes filter lymph (lymphatic fluid), and they store lymphocytes (white blood cells). They are located along lymphatic vessels. Also called lymph gland.

A procedure to remove or repair a part of the body or to find out whether disease is present. An operation.