irinotecan + semaxanib

This is a combination of two investigational anticancer agents: - **Irinotecan** is a topoisomerase I inhibitor that interferes with DNA replication in cancer cells, leading to cell death. It is approved for use in several cancers, including colorectal cancer. - **Semaxanib** (SU5416) is an experimental small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor developed by SUGEN. It selectively inhibits the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor tyrosine kinase (Flk-1/KDR), thereby blocking angiogenesis—the formation of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow. The combination was studied primarily for advanced colorectal cancer after failure of prior treatments. Phase I studies showed both drugs could be administered at their full single-agent doses without significant toxicity and demonstrated some clinical activity. However, due to discouraging results from later-phase trials and the development of more effective next-generation VEGF inhibitors, further development of this combination has been discontinued[1][2][4][8].

Other names

irinotecan + SU5416CPT-11 + semaxanib