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Zinecard (DEXRAZOXANE)
Zinecard works by binding to metal ions and preventing them from causing damage to DNA during anthracycline treatment.
Zinecard (Dexrazoxane) is a cytoprotective agent developed by Pharmacia and Upjohn, now owned by Pfizer. It targets DNA topoisomerase 2-alpha to prevent cardiomyopathy and extravasation injury caused by anthracycline injection. Zinecard is approved for the prevention of CMV disease after organ transplant and is available as a generic medication. The drug has a half-life of 2.5 hours and is off-patent, with no active Orange Book patents. Key safety considerations include potential nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity.
At a glance
| Generic name | DEXRAZOXANE |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Pfizer |
| Drug class | Cytoprotective Agent |
| Target | DNA topoisomerase 2-alpha |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Oncology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
| First approval | 1995 |
Mechanism of action
The mechanism by which dexrazoxane reduces tissue damage caused by anthracycline-related cardiomyopathy or following anthracycline extravasation is not fully understood. Dexrazoxane is cyclic derivative of EDTA that penetrates cell membranes. Results of laboratory studies suggest that dexrazoxane is converted intracellularly to ring-opened chelating agent that interferes with iron-mediated free radical generation. Some evidence suggests that dexrazoxane inhibits topoisomerase II reversibly.
Approved indications
- Doxorubicin Induced Cardiomyopathy
- Extravasation Injury from Anthracycline Injection
- Prevention of CMV Disease After Organ Transplant
Common side effects
- Alopecia
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue/Malaise
- Anorexia
- Stomatitis
- Fever
- Infection
- Diarrhea
- Pain on Injection
- Sepsis
- Neurotoxicity
Key clinical trials
- Risk-Based Therapy in Treating Younger Patients With Newly Diagnosed Liver Cancer (PHASE3)
- Venetoclax Basket Trial for High Risk Hematologic Malignancies (PHASE1)
- Testing the Addition of 131I-MIBG or Lorlatinib to Intensive Therapy in People With High-Risk Neuroblastoma (NBL) (PHASE3)
- A Study to Compare Standard Chemotherapy to Therapy With CPX-351 and/or Gilteritinib for Patients With Newly Diagnosed AML With or Without FLT3 Mutations (PHASE3)
- Testing a Standardized Approach to Surgery and Chemotherapy for Type I Pleuropulmonary Blastoma or the Addition of an Anti-cancer Drug, Topotecan, to the Usual Treatment for Types II and III Pleuropulmonary Blastoma (PHASE3)
- Imatinib Mesylate and Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Newly Diagnosed Philadelphia Chromosome Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (PHASE3)
- Pediatric Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma Consortium Study: cHOD17 (PHASE2)
- 05-001: Treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Children (PHASE3)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| FDA label | Mechanism, indications, dosing, boxed warnings, drug interactions |
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Zinecard CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Zinecard updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Pfizer portfolio CI