Rodorubicin (Cytorhodin S, HLB 817) is a synthetic tetraglycosidic anthracycline antibiotic with antineoplastic activity. Rodorubicin is thought to intercalate DNA and cause cell death. Compared to standard anthracyclines, this compound has an atypical spectrum of activity and toxicity. Rodorubucin was the first drug that was being developed clinically despite its inactivity in animal transplantation tumor systems (it was detected in a human tumor-based screening system). Delayed nephrotoxicity is the dose-limiting factor for this drug, namely proteinuria and clearance reduction. Because of the severe side effects, rodobubicin was never marketed.