Managing Irinotecan-Induced Diarrhea: A Comprehensive Review of Therapeutic Interventions in Cancer Treatment

Irinotecan (CPT-11), an inhibitor of DNA topoisomerase I, stands as a pivotal therapeutic agent in oncology. However, its use is primarily constrained by side effects such as neutropenia and the onset of delayed diarrhea. Despite the effective management of neutropenia, CPT-11-induced diarrhea (CID)...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Xiaoqin Yang, Jiamei Chen, Yitao Wang, Yihan Wu, Jinming Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Pharmaceuticals
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/3/359
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850280244481622016
author Xiaoqin Yang
Jiamei Chen
Yitao Wang
Yihan Wu
Jinming Zhang
author_facet Xiaoqin Yang
Jiamei Chen
Yitao Wang
Yihan Wu
Jinming Zhang
author_sort Xiaoqin Yang
collection DOAJ
description Irinotecan (CPT-11), an inhibitor of DNA topoisomerase I, stands as a pivotal therapeutic agent in oncology. However, its use is primarily constrained by side effects such as neutropenia and the onset of delayed diarrhea. Despite the effective management of neutropenia, CPT-11-induced diarrhea (CID) is often severe, leading to hospitalization, dosage adjustments, and in some cases, treatment discontinuation, which can significantly impact therapeutic outcomes. A multitude of pharmacological agents have been investigated in preclinical and clinical studies with the aim of reducing or preventing the onset of delayed diarrhea associated with CPT-11. This comprehensive review examines the underlying mechanisms of CPT-11-triggered delayed diarrhea and discusses the experimental medications and strategies that have been utilized to combat this adverse effect. This review encompasses an exploration of chemical formulations, the application of traditional Chinese medicine, and the advent of innovative drug delivery systems. It is anticipated that this article will serve as a valuable resource for both novice researchers in the realm of irinotecan chemotherapy and for those who are well-versed in the field, including experts and practicing clinicians.
format Article
id doaj-art-812a5c11bd554e84944262e338a4becc
institution OA Journals
issn 1424-8247
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Pharmaceuticals
spelling doaj-art-812a5c11bd554e84944262e338a4becc2025-08-20T01:48:49ZengMDPI AGPharmaceuticals1424-82472025-03-0118335910.3390/ph18030359Managing Irinotecan-Induced Diarrhea: A Comprehensive Review of Therapeutic Interventions in Cancer TreatmentXiaoqin Yang0Jiamei Chen1Yitao Wang2Yihan Wu3Jinming Zhang4State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR 999078, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, ChinaIrinotecan (CPT-11), an inhibitor of DNA topoisomerase I, stands as a pivotal therapeutic agent in oncology. However, its use is primarily constrained by side effects such as neutropenia and the onset of delayed diarrhea. Despite the effective management of neutropenia, CPT-11-induced diarrhea (CID) is often severe, leading to hospitalization, dosage adjustments, and in some cases, treatment discontinuation, which can significantly impact therapeutic outcomes. A multitude of pharmacological agents have been investigated in preclinical and clinical studies with the aim of reducing or preventing the onset of delayed diarrhea associated with CPT-11. This comprehensive review examines the underlying mechanisms of CPT-11-triggered delayed diarrhea and discusses the experimental medications and strategies that have been utilized to combat this adverse effect. This review encompasses an exploration of chemical formulations, the application of traditional Chinese medicine, and the advent of innovative drug delivery systems. It is anticipated that this article will serve as a valuable resource for both novice researchers in the realm of irinotecan chemotherapy and for those who are well-versed in the field, including experts and practicing clinicians.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/3/359CPT-11(irinotecan)SN-38CPT-11-induced diarrhea (CID)diarrhea preventionclinical treatment
spellingShingle Xiaoqin Yang
Jiamei Chen
Yitao Wang
Yihan Wu
Jinming Zhang
Managing Irinotecan-Induced Diarrhea: A Comprehensive Review of Therapeutic Interventions in Cancer Treatment
Pharmaceuticals
CPT-11(irinotecan)
SN-38
CPT-11-induced diarrhea (CID)
diarrhea prevention
clinical treatment
title Managing Irinotecan-Induced Diarrhea: A Comprehensive Review of Therapeutic Interventions in Cancer Treatment
title_full Managing Irinotecan-Induced Diarrhea: A Comprehensive Review of Therapeutic Interventions in Cancer Treatment
title_fullStr Managing Irinotecan-Induced Diarrhea: A Comprehensive Review of Therapeutic Interventions in Cancer Treatment
title_full_unstemmed Managing Irinotecan-Induced Diarrhea: A Comprehensive Review of Therapeutic Interventions in Cancer Treatment
title_short Managing Irinotecan-Induced Diarrhea: A Comprehensive Review of Therapeutic Interventions in Cancer Treatment
title_sort managing irinotecan induced diarrhea a comprehensive review of therapeutic interventions in cancer treatment
topic CPT-11(irinotecan)
SN-38
CPT-11-induced diarrhea (CID)
diarrhea prevention
clinical treatment
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/3/359
work_keys_str_mv AT xiaoqinyang managingirinotecaninduceddiarrheaacomprehensivereviewoftherapeuticinterventionsincancertreatment
AT jiameichen managingirinotecaninduceddiarrheaacomprehensivereviewoftherapeuticinterventionsincancertreatment
AT yitaowang managingirinotecaninduceddiarrheaacomprehensivereviewoftherapeuticinterventionsincancertreatment
AT yihanwu managingirinotecaninduceddiarrheaacomprehensivereviewoftherapeuticinterventionsincancertreatment
AT jinmingzhang managingirinotecaninduceddiarrheaacomprehensivereviewoftherapeuticinterventionsincancertreatment