Pharmacologic Substance
irinotecan
Brand Names:
Camptosar; Onivyde
Effect:
Cellular Proliferation Alteration; Decreased DNA Integrity; Increased Cellular Death
May Treat:
Breast Neoplasms;
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung;
Colonic Neoplasms;
Leukemia;
Lymphoma;
Neoplasm Metastasis;
Pancreatic Neoplasms;
Rectal Neoplasms;
Stomach Neoplasms
More Information:
Definitions related to irinotecan:
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A semisynthetic camptothecin derivative that inhibits DNA TOPOISOMERASE I to prevent nucleic acid synthesis during S PHASE. It is used as an antineoplastic agent for the treatment of COLORECTAL NEOPLASMS and PANCREATIC NEOPLASMS.NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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A semisynthetic derivative of camptothecin, a cytotoxic, quinoline-based alkaloid extracted from the Asian tree Camptotheca acuminata. Irinotecan, a prodrug, is converted to a biologically active metabolite 7-ethyl-10-hydroxy-camptothecin (SN-38) by a carboxylesterase-converting enzyme. One thousand-fold more potent than its parent compound irinotecan, SN-38 inhibits topoisomerase I activity by stabilizing the cleavable complex between topoisomerase I and DNA, resulting in DNA breaks that inhibit DNA replication and trigger apoptotic cell death. Because ongoing DNA synthesis is necessary for irinotecan to exert its cytotoxic effects, it is classified as an S-phase-specific agent.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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DNA topoisomerase I inhibitor.CRISP ThesaurusNational Institutes of Health, 2006
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The active ingredient in a drug used alone or with other drugs to treat colon cancer or rectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body or has come back after treatment with fluorouracil. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Irinotecan blocks certain enzymes needed for cell division and DNA repair, and it may kill cancer cells. It is a type of topoisomerase inhibitor and a type of camptothecin analog.NCI Dictionary of Cancer TermsU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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