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Introduction of Camtothecin
Camptothecin is a
plant secondary metabolite used as an anti-cancer drug that
damages DNA, leading to the destruction of the cell.
Camptothecin 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. 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
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.
Disclaimer:
Information on this page is provided for general
information purposes. You should not make a clinical treatment
decision based on information contained in this page without
consulting other references including the package insert of
the drug, textbooks and where relevant, expert opinion. We
cannot be held responsible for any errors you make in
administering drugs mentioned on this page, nor for use of any
erroneous information contained on this page.
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