Topoisomerase I inhibition with topotecan: pharmacologic and clinical issues.

Topoisomerase I (topo-I) inhibitors are a new class of anticancer agents with a mechanism of action aimed at interrupting DNA replication in cancer cells, the result of which is cell death. Most, if not all, topo-I inhibitors are derivatives of the plant extract camptothecin. Topotecan is a derivative of camptothecin which has been structurally modified to increase water solubility. The pharmacokinetic profile of topotecan is usually characterised by a two-compartment model and is linear in the dose range of 0.5 - 3.5 mg/m(2). Current clinical trials suggest antitumour activity against a variety of human tumour types, including ovarian cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and non-lymphocytic haematologic malignancies. The main dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) is non-cumulative myelosuppression. Non-haematologic toxicities are usually mild. Based on several Phase I studies, the recommended Phase II dose was 1.5 mg/m(2)/day iv. for 5 days. Current Phase I and Phase II trials are evaluating the combination of topotecan with other chemotherapeutic agents to increase the therapeutic benefits of topotecan. The DLT in these trials is mainly myelosuppression.