New and Emerging Treatments in Lung Cancer
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Hycamtin for Injection
Generic drug name: |
topotecan |
Brand/trade name: |
Hycamtin |
Manufactured by: |
GlaxoSmithKline |
FDA approval: |
November 1998 (injection) for use in small cell lung cancer, “sensitive disease*,” after failure of first-line chemotherapy |
Type of drug: |
Chemotherapy |
Overview:
Hycamtin for Injection is a topoisomerase I inhibitor. Topoisomerase is produced in the body and is necessary for cells to divide and grow. In order for cancer cells to divide (which leads to tumor growth), cells must copy the genetic material contained in their DNA. Hycamtin for Injection prevents the cells from copying genetic material and the cancer cells die.
Clinical trials:
Hycamtin is being studied for treatment of both small cell and non-small cell lung cancer.
Treatment Overview:
Hycamtin for Injection treatment lasts 30 minutes. It is given for 5 days in a row, every 21 days. On days 1 through 5, patients receive a 30-minute IV infusion of Hycamtin for Injection each day, followed by 16 days of no treatment. For the treatment of SCLC, patients may receive 4 to 6 courses of Hycamtin for Injection over a period of 3 to 5 months.
Common side effects:
Hycamtin for Injection side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hair loss, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
Special warnings:
Hycamtin for Injection may result in bone marrow suppression and therefore blood counts should be monitored and the capsules only taken if counts are above certain limits.
For more detailed treatment information about Hycamtin for Injection treatment and side effects:
*In clinical studies submitted to support approval, “sensitive disease” was defined as disease that responded to chemotherapy but then worsening more than 60 days after completing chemotherapy.
