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Daunorubicin (Cerubidine)

Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.

About Daunorubicin

What it is

Daunorubicin is an anthracycline chemotherapy medicine: it slips between the strands of DNA and blocks topoisomerase II, so cancer cells cannot copy their DNA. It is used mainly for acute myeloid and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Like other anthracyclines it can damage the heart, so the total amount given over a lifetime is limited. It is sold as Cerubidine, among other names.

How genes come into it

The best-studied genetic link for anthracyclines concerns heart damage: variants in SLC28A3 (rs7853758 is linked to lower risk), RARG and UGT1A6 have been linked to cardiotoxicity, mostly in children treated for cancer. Other studies looked at CBR1, which inactivates daunorubicin, and at the transporters ABCB1 and SLCO1B1. The findings come from a few studies, and there is no CPIC or DPWG guideline.

What research found

Every published finding on gene variants and Daunorubicin. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.

Rated evidence (16 rated variants)

PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.

SLC28A3 rs7853758: Level 2B · replicated. Toxicity: Cardiotoxicity. 5.

RARG rs2229774: Level 3. Toxicity: Cardiotoxicity, Neoplasms. 7.

ABCB1 rs2032582: Level 3. Efficacy: Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute. 4.

PNPLA3 rs738409: Level 3. Toxicity: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia. 2.

Metabolism (4 findings)

Studies of how quickly the body processes this medication.

CBR1 rs25678: Genotype CC is associated with decreased exposure to daunorubicin in people with Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute as compared to genotypes CG + GG.

G6PD G6PD A- 202A_376G: G6PD A-202A_376G is associated with decreased metabolism of daunorubicin.

G6PD G6PD Mediterranean, Dallas, Panama, Sassari, Cagliari, Birmingham: G6PD Mediterranean, Dallas, Panama' Sassari, Cagliari, Birmingham is associated with decreased metabolism of daunorubicin.

CBR1 rs25678: Genotypes CG + GG is associated with increased exposure to daunorubicin in people with Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute as compared to genotype CC.

Response (5 findings)

Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.

RAD50 rs2299014: Genotypes AA + AC is associated with increased resistance to cytarabine and daunorubicin in people with Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute as compared to genotype CC.

ABCB1 rs1045642: Genotype AA is not associated with response to cytarabine, daunorubicin and dexrazoxane in people with Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute as compared to genotypes AG + GG.

ABCB1 rs1128503: Genotype AA is not associated with response to cytarabine, daunorubicin and dexrazoxane in people with Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute as compared to genotypes AG + GG.

ABCB1 rs2032582: Genotype AA is not associated with response to cytarabine, daunorubicin and dexrazoxane in people with Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute as compared to genotypes AC + CC.

Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.

Related Drugs

More drugs from the same category

Adriamycin (Anthracyclines)

Anthracyclines (class) (Anthracyclines)

Ellence (Anthracyclines)

Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.

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Content updated September 2026.

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