Which of the following are examples of anthracycline chemotherapy drugs?

• A. Doxorubicin and Epirubicin
• B. Paclitaxel and Cisplatin
• C. Methotrexate and 5-Fluorouracil
• D. Vincristine and Dactinomycin

Answer: (A)

Anthracyclines are a group of chemotherapy drugs that work by intercalating into DNA and inhibiting topoisomerase II, causing DNA breaks and also generating reactive oxygen species. Doxorubicin and epirubicin are classic examples of this class, so they are the drugs that fit the description. The other options belong to different drug classes: paclitaxel is a taxane that stabilizes microtubules; cisplatin is a platinum agent that crosslinks DNA; methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil are antimetabolites; vincristine is a microtubule inhibitor from the Vinca family, and dactinomycin (actinomycin D) is an antibiotic that intercalates DNA but is not an anthracycline. Thus, the pair with doxorubicin and epirubicin correctly exemplifies anthracyclines.