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Irinotecan Based Chemotherapy
Irinotecan is a topoisomerase I inhibitor that prevents DNA religation during replication, leading to DNA damage and cancer cell death.
Irinotecan is a topoisomerase I inhibitor that prevents DNA religation during replication, leading to DNA damage and cancer cell death. Used for Metastatic colorectal cancer, Small cell lung cancer, Ovarian cancer.
At a glance
| Generic name | Irinotecan Based Chemotherapy |
|---|---|
| Also known as | FOLFIRI, Douillard |
| Sponsor | Amgen |
| Drug class | Topoisomerase I inhibitor |
| Target | Topoisomerase I |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Oncology |
| Phase | Phase 3 |
Mechanism of action
Irinotecan inhibits topoisomerase I, an enzyme essential for unwinding and rewinding DNA during replication. By stabilizing the topoisomerase I-DNA complex, the drug prevents the religation of DNA strands, causing double-strand breaks and apoptosis in rapidly dividing cancer cells. It is a prodrug that is converted to its active metabolite SN-38 by carboxylesterase in the liver and tissues.
Approved indications
- Metastatic colorectal cancer
- Small cell lung cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Gastric cancer
Common side effects
- Neutropenia
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Anemia
- Alopecia
- Abdominal pain
- Asthenia/fatigue
Key clinical trials
- Dinutuximab With Chemotherapy, Surgery and Stem Cell Transplantation for the Treatment of Children With Newly Diagnosed High Risk Neuroblastoma (PHASE3)
- Risk-Based Therapy in Treating Younger Patients With Newly Diagnosed Liver Cancer (PHASE3)
- Testing the Addition of an Individualized Vaccine to Durvalumab and Tremelimumab and Chemotherapy in Patients With Metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer (PHASE2)
- Sacituzumab Govitecan, Preceding Radical Cystectomy, in Treating Patients With Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer (PHASE2)
- Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Borderline Resectable and Locally Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma (PHASE2)
- Perioperative Systemic Therapy for Isolated Resectable Colorectal Peritoneal Metastases (PHASE2, PHASE3)
- Atezolizumab and Bevacizumab in Combination With Y^90 Radioembolization in HCC for Liver Transplant (PHASE4)
- Using Healthy Gut Bacteria to Boost Immune Treatment for Advanced Bowel Cancer (EARLY_PHASE1)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Irinotecan Based Chemotherapy CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Irinotecan Based Chemotherapy updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Amgen portfolio CI