Irinotecan liposome (Onivyde)

General information

Class/mechanism: Topoisomerase I inhibitor with irinotecan contained within a liposomal sphere. Irinotecan interferes with topoisomerase I's normal action of relieving torsional strain in DNA by creating reversible single-strand breaks. Irinotecan and its active metabolite SN-38 bind to the topoisomerase I & DNA complex and interfere with ligation of these single-strand breaks. Failure to repair these breaks eventually leads to double-strand DNA damage, which disrupts cell proliferation and leads to cell death. In mouse models, 5 times lower doses of liposomal irinotecan were able to achieve similar intratumoral exposure levels of SN-38 as compared to irinotecan HCl.
Route: IV
Extravasation: no information available

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Diseases for which it is used

• Esophageal cancer
• Gastric cancer
• Pancreatic cancer

Patient drug information

• Patient counseling information is available in the Irinotecan liposome (Onivyde) package insert

History of changes in FDA indication

• 10/22/2015: FDA approved "in combination with fluorouracil (5FU) and leucovorin (LV), for the treatment of patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas whose disease has progressed following gemcitabine-based therapy."

Also known as

• Code names: MM-398, MM398, PEP-02, PEP02
• Brand name: Onivyde