Camptothecin

220px
Camptothecin
Systematic (IUPAC) name
4-ethyl-4-hydroxy-1H-pyrano[3',4':6,7]indolizino[1,2-b] quinoline-3,14-(4H,12H)-dione
Identifiers
CAS number	7689-03-4
ATC code	?
PubChem	2538
Chemical data
Formula	C20H16N2O4
Mol. mass	348.352 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	?
Metabolism	?
Half life	?
Excretion	?
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	?
Legal status
Routes	?

WikiDoc Resources for Camptothecin
Articles
Most recent articles on Camptothecin Most cited articles on Camptothecin Review articles on Camptothecin Articles on Camptothecin in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
Media
Powerpoint slides on Camptothecin Images of Camptothecin Photos of Camptothecin Podcasts & MP3s on Camptothecin Videos on Camptothecin
Evidence Based Medicine
Cochrane Collaboration on Camptothecin Bandolier on Camptothecin TRIP on Camptothecin
Clinical Trials
Ongoing Trials on Camptothecin at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Camptothecin Clinical Trials on Camptothecin at Google
Guidelines / Policies / Govt
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Camptothecin NICE Guidance on Camptothecin NHS PRODIGY Guidance FDA on Camptothecin CDC on Camptothecin
Books
Books on Camptothecin
News
Camptothecin in the news Be alerted to news on Camptothecin News trends on Camptothecin
Commentary
Blogs on Camptothecin
Definitions
Definitions of Camptothecin
Patient Resources / Community
Patient resources on Camptothecin Discussion groups on Camptothecin Patient Handouts on Camptothecin Directions to Hospitals Treating Camptothecin Risk calculators and risk factors for Camptothecin
Healthcare Provider Resources
Symptoms of Camptothecin Causes & Risk Factors for Camptothecin Diagnostic studies for Camptothecin Treatment of Camptothecin
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME Programs on Camptothecin
International
Camptothecin en Espanol Camptothecin en Francais
Business
Camptothecin in the Marketplace Patents on Camptothecin
Experimental / Informatics
List of terms related to Camptothecin

Overview

Camptothecin is a plant secondary metabolite used as an anti-cancer drug that damages DNA, leading to the destruction of the cell.

It comes from Camptotheca acuminata, a deciduous tree found in southern China. Stem woods of Nothopodytes foetida (previously known as Mappia foetida) found in the western ghats of India are an even better source of camptothecin.(2)Template:Fix/category A close analogue, 9-methoxycamptothecin, is also present in the same source.

Mechanism of action

Camptothecin affects the activity of the enzyme topoisomerase I, whose normal action is to cleave, unwind, and religate DNA.

When camptothecin binds to topoisomerase I, it will be able to cleave but not to religate DNA. Thereby, camptothecin causes single strand breaks in DNA.

Related medications

Since Camptothecin manifested a severe life threatening adverse reaction in the form of cystitis (Inflammation of the urinary bladder and ureters) concerted efforts over years by many research institutions, academic as well as industrial, resulted in chemically related analogues with less toxicity and enhanced therapeutic potency.Topotecan (trade name Hycamtin) and irinotecan {trade name Camptosar, also known as CPT-11) are camptothecin derivatives marketed as anti-cancer drugs by GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer, respectively. Topotecan is indicated for small cell lung cancer after failure of first-line chemotherapy and metastatic carcinoma of the ovary following failure of initial or subsequent chemotherapy. Irinotecan is indicated for colorectal cancers and is usually taken with other drugs in chemotherapy.

References

2.Alkaloids of mappia foetida, Govindachari and viswanathan, Phytochemistry, 11,3529-3531(1972)

External links

• Camptothecin Project From the Stehlin Foundation for Cancer Research

• Pfizer Oncology From Pfizer Oncology

• GlaxoSmithKline From GlaxoSmithKline

• Sonus Pharmaceuticals From Sonus Pharmaceuticals