Etoposide is a podophyllotoxin derivative used to treat testicular and small cell lung tumors. A semisynthetic derivative of podophyllotoxin that exhibits antitumor activity.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed
Etoposide inhibits DNA topoisomerase II, thereby inhibiting DNA re-ligation. This causes critical errors in DNA synthesis at the premitotic stage of cell division and can lead to apoptosis of the cancer cell. Etoposide is cell cycle dependent and phase specific, affecting mainly the S and G2 phases of cell division. Inhibition of the topoisomerase II alpha isoform results in the anti-tumour activity of etoposide. The drug is also capable of inhibiting the beta isoform but inhibition of this target is not associated with the anti-tumour activity. It is instead associated with the carcinogenic effect.
- Primary indication
- For use in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of refractory testicular tumors and as first line treatment in patients with small cell lung cancer.Curator reviewed · 22 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C29H32O13 · 588.5566 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 1998 · United States, 1983
- Also known as
- trans-Etoposide
- Code names
- NSC-141540 · VP-16 · VP 16-213
- Brand names
Resolves to
VJJPUSNTGOMMGY-MRVIYFEKSA-NSMILES[H][C@]12COC(=O)[C@]1([H])[C@H](C1=CC(OC)=C(O)C(OC)=C1)C1=CC3=C(OCO3)C=C1[C@H]2O[C@@H]1O[C@]2([H])CO[C@@H](C)O[C@@]2([H])[C@H](O)[C@H]1OWhat you can answer from here — as of September 23, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Etoposide, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
Create a free account or log in to explore the full data card.
Create Account