anthracyclines

Anthracyclines are a class of chemotherapy drugs commonly used to treat various cancers, including breast cancer, leukemia, and lymphoma. They work by interfering with the cancer cells' ability to grow and divide, ultimately leading to cell death. These drugs are derived from natural substances produced by certain bacteria and are often effective, but they can also cause side effects, such as damage to the heart or lowered blood counts. Doctors carefully monitor patients receiving anthracyclines to manage these risks while using them to combat cancer effectively.