Pixantrone (Pixuvri)

Mechanism of action

From the NCI Drug Dictionary: The dimaleate salt of a synthetic, noncardiotoxic aza-anthracenedione analog with potential antineoplastic activity. Pixantrone intercalates into DNA and induces topoisomerase II-mediated DNA strand crosslinks, resulting in inhibition of DNA replication and tumor cell cytotoxicity. Route: IV

Diseases for which it is used

• Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

History of changes in EMA indication

• 2012-05-10: Initial authorization as Pixuvri
• Uncertain date: Pixuvri is indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with multiply relapsed or refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphomas (NHL). The benefit of pixantrone treatment has not been established in patients when used as fifth-line or greater chemotherapy in patients who are refractory to last therapy.

Also known as

• Code name: BBR-2778
• Generic name: pixantrone dimaleate
• Brand name: Pixuvri