Irinotecan . hydrochloride . trihydrate

A member of the camptothecin drug family, and an inhibitor of the nuclear enzyme topoisomerase I, which is involved in cellular DNA replication and transcription. During replication Topoisomerase I mediates the relaxation of super coiled DNA, and its inhibition results in breakage of the DNA chain and likely induce apoptosis [1]. Irinotecan is, therefore, an attractive target for anticancer drug development. Currently it is used for the treatment of small cell lung cancer [2] and advanced colorectal cancer [3].