gemcitabine + irinotecan

Gemcitabine + irinotecan is a combination chemotherapy regimen consisting of two cytotoxic small molecule drugs—gemcitabine and irinotecan. Gemcitabine is a nucleoside analog that inhibits DNA synthesis by incorporating into DNA during replication, leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Irinotecan is a topoisomerase I inhibitor that prevents the religation of single-strand breaks in DNA during replication, resulting in double-strand breaks and cell death. This combination has demonstrated synergistic antitumor activity in preclinical studies and has been evaluated clinically for the treatment of various solid tumors, particularly pancreatic cancer. Phase I/II trials have shown activity with manageable toxicity profiles in advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer as well as platinum-resistant/refractory ovarian cancer[1][2]. The regimen remains investigational for most indications.

Brand names

Camptosar + Gemzar

Other names

gemcitabine plus irinotecangemcitabine and irinotecanIrinoGem