Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin
Doxorubicin wrapped in a fatty bubble so it reaches tumours with less heart damage; a workhorse of relapsed ovarian cancer.
Approved 1995 (Kaposi sarcoma) and 1999 for platinum-refractory ovarian cancer. Standard single agent or partner (with carboplatin in CALYPSO, with trabectedin in OVA-301, with bevacizumab in AURELIA) in relapsed disease; the comparator arm in MIRASOL and KEYNOTE-B96. Hand-foot syndrome and mucositis replace the alopecia and cardiotoxicity of free doxorubicin.
- Route
- Intravenous
- Schedule
- 40-50 mg/m² every 4 weeks (ovarian)
- Monitoring
- LVEF at cumulative doses; skin
- Medicare
- Part B (clinician-administered)
Given by infusion or injection in a clinic or hospital outpatient department, so it is a Part B drug: Medicare pays 80% after the Part B deductible and the patient owes 20% coinsurance, uncapped in Original Medicare unless a Medigap policy applies. Generic liposomal doxorubicin is available; Doxil coverage is the same benefit.
- Commercial insurance
- covered on label
Multi-source generic; covered under the medical benefit without prior authorisation in most plans, as part of standard regimens.
Sources: Medicare.gov: Chemotherapy · Medicare.gov: Prescription drugs (outpatient, Part B). Not medical or financial advice; verify with your plan.
- Appraised for
- Advanced ovarian cancer after first-line platinum chemotherapy
- NHS England
- Routinely funded for the appraised indication (or via managed access)
Sources: NICE TA91 · SMC advice: pegylated liposomal doxorubicin. Funding decisions are indication-specific and change monthly; verify with NICE and your treating team.
Approvals
| Region | Year | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| US | 1999 | Ovarian cancer refractory to platinum and paclitaxel |
| Adverse event | Any grade | Grade 3+ |
|---|---|---|
| Palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia | 51% | 24% |
| Stomatitis | 41% | 8% |
Doxil label, ovarian. Events listed without rates were not read from a primary source; see the label. Blank cells mean the figure was not sourced, not that it is zero.
Trials
topRecruiting now (live from ClinicalTrials.gov)
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Latest papers
topQuery for this drug: (TITLE:"Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin" OR ABSTRACT:"Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin" OR TITLE:"Doxil" OR ABSTRACT:"Doxil" OR TITLE:"Caelyx" OR ABSTRACT:"Caelyx") AND (cancer OR tumor OR tumour OR oncology OR carcinoma OR lymphoma OR leukemia OR leukaemia OR myeloma OR sarcoma OR melanoma OR glioma). Results are unfiltered search hits about Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, not a curated reading list.