Vosaroxin : a novel antineoplastic quinolone.
BACKGROUND
The antineoplastic quinolone derivative vosaroxin (SNS-595, Sunesis, South San Francisco, CA, USA) was first described in 2002. It represents a novel class of anticancer drugs and is currently in a Phase III clinical trial for relapsed and refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML). AML is the most common form of acute leukemia in adults and is increasing in incidence due to the aging of the American population. Despite advances in diagnosis, prognostic prediction, and treatment in younger age groups, there has been little improvement in survival among patients over 60 years of age, who make up the majority of those affected.


METHODS
The development of vosaroxin, its mechanism of action, pharmacology, and metabolism, and the preclinical and clinical data to date will be covered.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite its structural dissimilarity, vosaroxin has mechanisms of action similar to the anthracyclines and anthracenediones already in use for the treatment of AML. However, unlike these agents, vosaroxin is not a P-gp substrate, appears to be unaffected by overexpression of P-gp or TP53 mutations, and may be useful in the treatment of AML, especially in the elderly.
Medical University of South Carolina, Hollings Cancer Center, 96 Jonathon Lucas St, MSC 635 CSB 903, Charleston, 29425, USA.
Jonathan A
JA
Abbas
Robert K
RK
Stuart
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D006801:Humans; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy; D009287:Naphthyridines / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009287:Naphthyridines; D013844:Thiazoles; C485113:vosaroxin