Doxorubicin-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in HL-60 leukemia cells – a narrative review

Abstract

Introduction and aim. Doxorubicin is an anthracycline widely used in cancer therapy. Although the complete mechanism of action of doxorubicin is not fully understood, it is known to effectively destroy cancer cells by intercalating into DNA. This article aims to evaluate the anticancer effect of doxorubicin with particular emphasis on HL-60 leukemia cells and cell cycle/apoptosis. Material and methods. This narrative review contains a collection and evaluation of peer-reviewed publications on the anticancer properties and therapeutic applications of doxorubicin. It focuses on doxorubicin-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in HL-60 leukemia cells, with particular emphasis on toxicity and resistance. A literature review was conducted using the following databases: PubMed and Google Scholar. Analysis of the literature. Doxorubicin exhibits potent anticancer activity against many cancer types. Unfortunately, due to serious side effects, primarily related to the cardiotoxicity of the drug, its potential cannot be fully exploited. Conclusion. In recent years, many approaches have been developed to circumvent the limitations of doxorubicin. Identifying all the pathways of doxorubicin action is important for planning combination therapy, mitigating side effects, and developing new drugs. However, further clinical studies are needed to determine their long-term safety and efficacy.