Clinical studies with daunorubicin-DNA and adriamycin-DNA complexes: a review

The clinical results presently available on the use of daunorubicin (DNR)-DNA and Adriamycin (ADR)-DNA are reviewed in light of the most recent experimental data regarding the anthracycline-DNA complexes. Three randomized trials indicate that ADR-DNA is superior to DNR-DNA in combination therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, that DNR-DNA equals DNR in the treatment of acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia, and that ADR-DNA might be equal to ADR in the chemotherapy for anaplastic bronchogenic carcinoma. Increasing evidence suggests that the anthracycline-DNA complexes are less cardiotoxic than the corresponding free drugs.