epirubicin

Definition of epirubicin hydrochloride
National Cancer Institute

epirubicin hydrochloride

(EH-pih-ROO-bih-sin HY-droh-KLOR-ide)
A drug used with other drugs to treat breast cancer that was removed by surgery and has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Epirubicin hydrochloride blocks a certain enzyme needed for cell division and DNA repair and may kill cancer cells. It is a type of anthracycline antibiotic and a type of topoisomerase inhibitor. Epirubicin is the active ingredient of epirubicin hydrochloride. Also called Ellence.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms