Definition: An alkaloid isolated from the stem wood of the Chinese tree, Camptotheca acuminata. This compound selectively inhibits the nuclear enzyme DNA TOPOISOMERASES, TYPE I. Several semisynthetic analogs of camptothecin have demonstrated antitumor activity.
irinotecan [ 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin,CPT 11,CPT-11,Camptosar,Irrinotecan,NK012 compound,SN 38 11,Pfizer brand of irinotecan hydrochloride,SN 38,SN-38,SN-38-11,SN38 cpd,camptothecin-11,irinotecan hydrochloride ] RN given for mono-HCL(S)-isomer; NK012 is a polymeric micellar preparation of SN-38; structure given in first source, 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin is active metabolite