The influence of some metal ions on the degradation of anthracyclines was examined. One of the
degradation products is the 7,8-dehydro-9,10-desacetyldoxorubicinone, D* (¥), usually formed by
hydrolysis at slightly basic pH. D* is a lipophilic compound with no cytostatic properties. Its formation
could be responsible for the lack of antitumor activity of the parent compound. The coordination of
metal ions to anthracycline derivatives is required to have degradation products. Cations such as Na+, K+, or Ca2+ do not induce the D* formation however metals which can form stable complexes
with doxorubicin afford D*. Iron(III) and copper(II) form appreciable amount of D* at slightly acidic pH.
Terbium(III) forms D* but its complex is stable only at slightly basic pH. Palladium(II) which does not
form D*. The influence of the coordination mode of metal ions to anthracycline on the D* formation
is discussed.
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