Etoposide is a semisynthetic anticancer agent derived from podophyllotoxin, a natural compound obtained from the plant Podophyllum peltatum. It was developed in the 1960s and 1970s to improve antitumor activity while reducing toxicity. Etoposide acts by inhibiting DNA topoisomerase II, leading to DNA strand breaks and cell death. The drug showed significant effectiveness against various malignancies, including testicular cancer, lung cancer, and lymphomas. It was approved for clinical use in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Since its introduction, etoposide has become a key component of combination chemotherapy regimens and remains widely used in oncology practice.
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