Amsacrine (known as m-AMSA) hydrochloride is an acridine derivative that has a potent antitumor activity against leukemic cells. Amsacrine inhibits topoisomerase II which is a group of essential enzymes for DNA replication with important functions for DNA function and cell survival. Topoisomerase II is now viewed as an important cellular target of antitumor drugs including both DNA intercalators (amsacrine and doxorubicin [
D4193]) and the nonintercalator epipodophyllotoxin derivatives (etoposide [
E0675] and teniposide [
T3109]). Amsacrine is often used in combination with other chemotherapy drugs to treat types of adult leukemia, particularly acute myeloid leukemia (AML). (The product is for research purpose only.)