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NCI Drug Dictionary


banoxantrone 
A bioreductive, alkylaminoanthraquinone prodrug with antineoplastic activity. Under hypoxic conditions, often seen in solid tumors, banoxantrone (AQ4N) is converted and activated by cytochrome P450 enzymes, which are upregulated in certain tumors, to the cytotoxic DNA-binding agent AQ4. Banoxantrone intercalates into and crosslinks DNA, and inhibits topoisomerase II. This results in an inhibition of DNA replication and repair in tumor cells. Combined with conventional therapeutic agents, both oxygenic and hypoxic regions of tumors can be targeted. Check for active clinical trials or closed clinical trials using this agent. (NCI Thesaurus)
Code names:AQ 4N
AQ4N
Chemical structure:9,10-anthracenedione, 1,4-bis((2-(dimethylamino)ethyl)amino)-5,8-dihydroxy-, N,N'-dioxide