Lactone stable formulation of 7-ethyl camptothecin and methods for uses thereof

摘要

7-ethyl camptothecin (ECPT), an active metabolite of the camptothecin analog CPT-11, is poorly soluble in water. Because of its poor water solubility, ECPT has not been directly administered by parenteral or oral routes in human patients for the purpose of inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. There is also unpredictable interpatient variability in the metabolic production of ECPT from CPT-11 which limits the utility of CPT-11. This invention overcomes these limitations by teaching novel pharmaceutically acceptable lactone stable ECPT formulations for the direct administration of ECPT. The claimed invention also describes novel dosages, schedules, and routes of administration of the lactone stable ECPT formulations to patients with various forms of cancer.