ChemotherapyFDA-approvedSecond-line
Irinotecan
How it works
Irinotecan is a topoisomerase I inhibitor that interferes with DNA replication, preventing cancer cells from growing and dividing.
Cancer types
Pancreatic Cancer— All patients
Efficacy
Irinotecan has been shown to improve overall survival and quality of life in patients with pancreatic cancer, although the response rates are generally modest.
Side effects
Moderate
Side effects can be significant and may require dose adjustments or supportive medication, but the treatment is usually continued.
Evidence from research
| Study | Cancer type | Stage | Efficacy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Testing Chemo-Immunotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer | Pancreatic Cancer | phase-2 | — | Source → |
| New Treatment Combination Shows Promise for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer | Colorectal Cancer | phase-2 | The objective response rate was 18.3%, and the disease control rate was 83.3%. | Source → |
| Testing M6620 and Irinotecan in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors | Lung Cancer | phase-1 | — | Source → |
| Cancer Cells' Fat Metabolism Linked to Chemotherapy Resistance | Colorectal Cancer | lab-study | — | Source → |
| Liposomal irinotecan shows promise in treating breast cancer with brain metastases | Breast Cancer | phase-2 | The intracranial objective response rate was 22.0% among patients with progressive brain metastases. | Source → |
| Combining Nanoparticles and Medication to Boost Pancreatic Cancer Treatment | Pancreatic Cancer | animal-study | — | Source → |
| Combining Cancer Drugs Improves Immune Response in Lab Experiments | Colorectal Cancer | lab-study | This neutrophil-based formulation resulted in a >4-fold increase in the ratios of the amount of both IRI and GAL accumulated in tumors to the dosage administration. | Source → |
| Engineered Nanocarriers Improve Irinotecan Delivery for Colon Cancer | Colorectal Cancer | lab-study | The P-DSPE-PEG-Ir LP exhibited significant tumor growth delay as compared to untreated and blank formulation-treated groups. | Source → |
| New Treatment Shows Promise for Advanced Pancreatic Cancer | Pancreatic Cancer | meta-analysis | The use of nal-IRI resulted in significantly improved progression-free survival (pooled mean difference=1.01 months, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.97-1.05, p<0.01) and overall survival (pooled mean difference=0.29 months, 95%CI=0.18-0.39, p<0.01), as well as significantly better overall response rate (pooled odds ratio=2.06, 95%CI=1.30-3.27, p=0.002) compared to other second-line regimens. | Source → |
| New Study Helps Optimize Chemotherapy for Colorectal Cancer Patients | Colorectal Cancer | phase-1 | — | Source → |
| Comparing Two Cancer Treatments in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer | Colorectal Cancer | phase-3 | There was no significant difference in median overall survival between treatment groups (9.1 months vs 10.1 months). | Source → |
| Liposomal Irinotecan in Biliary Tract Cancer: A Meta-Analysis | Pancreatic Cancer | meta-analysis | The combination therapy exhibited a statistically significant decrease in the risk of progression (hazard ratio 0.70; 95% confidence interval 0.50-0.97) | Source → |
| Older patients with pancreatic cancer may benefit from liposomal irinotecan treatment | Pancreatic Cancer | observational | The median overall survival and progression-free survival of the entire cohort were 8.5 and 3.6 months, respectively. | Source → |
This information is provided for general education only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making treatment decisions.