What is the mechanism of action of the liposomal formulation of doxorubicin hydrochloride?

Doxorubicin hydrochloride is an anthracycline anticancer antibiotic with cytotoxic properties that is widely used in the treatment of various cancers. Doxorubicin inserts itself between DNA base pairs, thereby hindering the movement of the replication machinery along the DNA strand and inhibiting the activity of topoisomerase II during replication. Consequently, the drug leads to the formation of DNA adducts, causing single-strand and double-strand DNA breaks, which in turn induce DNA repair and/or apoptosis. Doxorubicin also generates reactive oxygen species, leading to lipid peroxidation of the cell membrane and thereby inducing cytotoxicity. Encapsulating doxorubicin hydrochloride within liposomes enhances drug penetration into tumour tissue and reduces drug clearance, thereby prolonging the duration of the therapeutic effect. Liposomal formulations of doxorubicin also help to modulate toxicity, particularly the cardiac side effects commonly associated with anthracycline anticancer drugs.

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