BACKGROUND Since the precise mechanism for the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is unknown, no targeted therapies in addition to immunosuppression are available so far. We recently demonstrated that administration of the topoisomerase I (topo I) inhibitor irinotecan at extremely low concentrations reversed established lupus nephritis in NZB/NZW mice. While profound immunosuppr...

Uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A (UGT1A1), which affects irinotecan metabolism, has been associated with severe adverse reactions in patients with cancer treated with irinotecan. However, neither large-scale analysis of the distribution of UGT1A1 polymorphisms, nor standardized assessment of how UGT1A1 polymorphisms affect irinotecan treatment has been performed in China. The aim ...

Since its approval in the United States in 1996, irinotecan (CPT-11, Camptosar, Pharmacia Corp.; Peapack, NJ) has undergone extensive clinical evaluation. In the past five years, the focus of development has evolved from evaluation of single-agent activity in refractory disease settings to evaluation of front-line irinotecan-based combination chemotherapy regimens and integration of irinotecan ...

BACKGROUND Irinotecan is commonly used in combination with oxaliplatin as a component of FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy for several gastrointestinal malignancies. The purpose of this case report is to describe a patient who developed acute paralysis and aphasia while receiving her initial infusion of irinotecan. CASE REPORT A 67-year-old woman with newly diagnosed metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinom...

Capecitabine (Xeloda) and irinotecan (CPT-11, Camptosar) both have demonstrated single-agent activity in patients with colorectal cancer. In an analysis of pooled results of two phase III studies, capecitabine provided advantages over intravenous fluorouracil (5-FU) plus leucovorin in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. In another analysis, metastatic colorectal cancer patients who rece...

Irinotecan [7-ethyl-10-[4-(1-piperidino)-1-piperidino]carbonyloxycamptothecine++ +] is a water-soluble analogue of camptothecine used in the second-line treatment of advanced colon cancer. Recently, we identified, in the plasma of patients and in human liver microsomal incubations, the presence of a new metabolite of irinotecan, 7-ethyl-10-(4-amino-1-piperidino)carbonyloxycamptothecine (NPC), w...

BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of gene polymorphisms, including UGT1A1*7, *27, and *29, on the safety of irinotecan therapy. METHODS The eligibility criteria were: lung cancer patients scheduled to undergo irinotecan therapy, aged ≥ 20 years, with a performance status of 0-2. Thirty-one patients were enrolled and their blood was collected and used to examin...

BACKGROUND Acquired drug resistance to the chemotherapeutic drug irinotecan (the active metabolite of which is SN-38) is one of the significant obstacles in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). The molecular mechanism or targets mediating irinotecan resistance are still unclear. It is urgent to find the irinotecan response biomarkers to improve CRC patients' therapy. METHODS Gen...

PURPOSE Although the combination of irinotecan and 5-Fluorouracil is clinically active, it is associated with significant toxicity and resistance. Studies were carried out to define the optimal dosage, sequence, and timing for the combination in mice bearing xenografted human tumors. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN The maximum tolerated dose of irinotecan and 5-Fluorouracil in combination was determined ...