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NCI Drug Dictionary


irinotecan hydrochloride  Patient Information
The hydrochloride salt of 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. Check for active clinical trials or closed clinical trials using this agent. (NCI Thesaurus)
Synonyms:camptothecin-11
irinotecan
irinotecan HCl
US brand name:Camptosar
Foreign brand name:Campto
Code names:CPT-11
U-101440E
Chemical structures:(+)-(4S)-4,11-diethyl-4-hydroxy-9-[(4-piperidino-piperidino)carbonyloxy]-1H-pyrano[3',4':6,7]indolizino[1,2-b]quinol-3,14,(4H,12H)-dione
(+)-7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecine 10-[1,4'-bipiperidine]-1'-carboxylate
[1,4'-bipiperidine]-1'-carboxylic acid (S)-4,11-diethyl-3,4,12,14-tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-3,14-dioxo-1H-pyrano[3',4':6,7]indolizino[1,2-b]quinolin-9-yl ester
7-ethyl-10-[4-(1-piperidino)-1-piperidino]carbonyloxycamptothecin