Tag

tbc

The major side effects of topotecan are:

1. Myelosuppression
2. Diarrhea
3. Low blood counts
4. Susceptibility to infection

Topotecan hydrochloride (trade name Hycamtin) is a chemotherapy agent that is a topoisomerase I inhibitor.

 It is often used in the treatment of ovarian and lung cancers, as well as other cancer types.

Topotecan intercalates between DNA. This intercalation disrupts the DNA duplication machinery when it finds a site in the DNA where topotecan is intercalated. This disruption prevents DNA replication, and ultimately leads to cell death.

Upfront treatment of ovarian cancer with a combination of surgical resection of the tumor and chemotherapy is highly effective in reducing the production of malignant ascites.

Historically, recurrent ascites has been treated with paracentesis and the insertion of a catheter, which gives the patient great relief from their symptoms.

Recently, a new targeted therapy called bevacizumab (trade name: Avastin) has been shown to have good efficacy in the management of malignant ascities.