Is irinotecan a camptothecin?
The hydrochloride salt of a semisynthetic derivative of camptothecin, a cytotoxic, quinoline-based alkaloid extracted from the Asian tree Camptotheca acuminata.
What class of drug is irinotecan?
Irinotecan is in a class of antineoplastic medications called topoisomerase I inhibitors. It works by stopping the growth of cancer cells.Apr 15, 2020
What is the mechanism of action of irinotecan?
Irinotecan interacts with cellular Topo I–DNA complexes and has S-phase-specific cytotoxicity [27]. Topoisomerases reduce DNA twisting and supercoiling that occur in selected regions of DNA as a result of essential cellular processes such as transcription, replication and repair recombination.
Is irinotecan a chemo drug?
Irinotecan is a type of chemotherapy. It is also known by its brand name Campto. It is a treatment for cancer that started in the bowel (bowel cancer).
What are the warnings for irinotecan?
Irinotecan may cause severe diarrhea, which can occur during or right after you receive this medication and/or more than 24 hours afterward. If the diarrhea starts right away, you may also have other side effects such as runny nose, increased saliva, watery eyes, sweating, stomach cramps, or flushing.
Is irinotecan a targeted therapy?
Targeted therapy drugs used for colorectal cancer
FOLFIRI – leucovorin (folinic acid), 5-fluorouracil (Adrucil, 5-FU) and irinotecan (Camptosar) FOLFOX – leucovorin, 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin (Eloxatin)
What type of chemotherapy is irinotecan?
Irinotecan belongs to the group of medicines called antineoplastics (cancer medicines). It interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed.Nov 1, 2022
Do you always lose your hair with irinotecan?
Hair loss is fairly common with Irinotecan. This usually starts 3–4 weeks after the first dose of irinotecan, although it may happen earlier. Hair may completely fall out. You may also have thinning and loss of eyelashes, eyebrows and other body hair.
How many cycles of irinotecan can you have?
Each cycle of treatment lasts 2 weeks (14 days). Depending on your needs, you may have up to 12 cycles, taking up to 6 months in total. You have irinotecan through a drip into the bloodstream over 30 to 90 minutes (depending on which cycle you are having).