Irinotecan

← All agents

Catalog entry human-reviewed · each study below is labeled with how it was published · How we review →

AI extractedhuman reviewedsources checkedretractions suppressed

Get cited updates on Irinotecan

A monthly email when the research changes — $10/mo. Manage follows

Follow Irinotecan

Evidence at a glanceAnimal onlyMixed results⚠ Studies disagree

4 published studies tagged to this agent0 human studies approved & graded (trial, observational, or meta-analysis)

Why this grade?

Animal only — Animal studies only — no human data.

0 human · 1 animal · 0 lab · 3 review/other
Most authoritative study: Management of Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma
Studies disagree on the reported direction (conflict flagged).
No human studies yet
Findings conflict across studies
Effect sizes reported in only 1 of 4 studies

Computed deterministically from the studies’ types and reported outcomes — not written by AI, and not a claim that anything works.

Auto-discovered · not yet curatedirinotecan

Educational only, not medical advice. OncoForge makes no claim that Irinotecan treats, prevents, or cures any condition, beyond what the linked studies show. Evidence levels vary; effects may not translate to people, and some compounds can cause harm. Always coordinate with your oncology team.

Simple Summary

Auto-discovered from 4 recent studies; not yet curated.

Research

Where the evidence is

What has been studied, and how strong it is, by topic. A dashed cell means no studies were found for that combination — a gap, not evidence of no effect. Open a row to see its studies.

CancerHuman evidenceMechanismSafetyTrial

Clear Cell Adenocarcinoma (Ovarian)—1——

Therapeutic strategies in epithelial ovarian cancer ReviewMixed results

Epithelial Ovarian Cancer—1——

Therapeutic strategies in epithelial ovarian cancer ReviewMixed results

Extra Pulmonary Lcnec—1——

Management of Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma ReviewMixed results

Gastrointestinal Lcnec—1——

Management of Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma ReviewMixed results

Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma (Lcnec)—1——

Management of Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma ReviewMixed results

Ovarian Sarcoma (M5076)—1——

Theanine and glutamate transporter inhibitors enhance the antitumor efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents Animal studyReported positive

Primary Peritoneal Carcinoma—1——

Therapeutic strategies in epithelial ovarian cancer ReviewMixed results

Pulmonary Lcnec—1——

Management of Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma ReviewMixed results

Serous Adenocarcinoma (Ovarian)—1——

Therapeutic strategies in epithelial ovarian cancer ReviewMixed results

Small Cell Carcinoma Of The Urinary Bladder————

Metastatic small-cell carcinoma of the bladder that maintains a complete response to chemoradiation therapy Case reportReported positive

Reported figures

Study mix

4 published studies by what they were done in. Lab and animal findings often do not carry over to people.

1 Animal3 Review/other

Reported directionReported positive2Mixed results2

What supports this page

The kinds of sources behind this page, strongest at the top. Faint rungs show what is not here yet.

Guideline

Meta-analysis

Systematic review

Randomized trial

Clinical trial

Observational

Case report

Review

Preclinical

Other

4 studies1 animal3 review/other

Tracking 4 published studies of Irinotecan: 1 in animals, 3 reviews/other.

Reported direction across studies: 2 positive, 2 mixed.

Findings conflict — both supportive and negative/mixed results exist (see below). Human evidence is absent so far.

These counts summarize what the studies reported; they are not a measure of whether Irinotecan works.

Cancers named in these studies

small-cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder (1)large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) (1)pulmonary LCNEC (1)extra-pulmonary LCNEC (1)gastrointestinal LCNEC (1)epithelial ovarian cancer (1)primary peritoneal carcinoma (1)clear cell adenocarcinoma (ovarian) (1)serous adenocarcinoma (ovarian) (1)ovarian sarcoma (M5076) (1)

Conflicting evidence

Reported positive (2)

Metastatic small-cell carcinoma of the bladder that maintains a complete response to chemoradiation therapy
Case report · Limited evidence · Oct 2022
Theanine and glutamate transporter inhibitors enhance the antitumor efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents
Animal study · Preclinical only · Dec 2003

Negative or mixed (2)

Management of Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma
Review · Limited evidence · Aug 2021
Therapeutic strategies in epithelial ovarian cancer
Review · Moderate evidence · Feb 2012

All studies

Case reportReported positiveLimited evidenceTier 3 · early humann = 1

Metastatic small-cell carcinoma of the bladder that maintains a complete response to chemoradiation therapy

IJU case reports · Oct 2022 · case report

Irinotecan Carboplatinsmall-cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder

This single-patient case report describes an 83-year-old man with metastatic small-cell carcinoma of the bladder who received second-line chemotherapy with irinotecan plus carboplatin together with irradiation of the primary lesion. Imaging showed a complete response, and the authors report that the therapeutic effect was maintained for 1 year after stopping chemotherapy.

Reported effect: duration_of_maintained_complete_response 1, n=1

Studied with: radiation therapy, combination chemotherapy (irinotecan + carboplatin).

Key findings

An 83-year-old man with bladder small-cell carcinoma and liver metastasis achieved an imaging complete response after second-line irinotecan plus carboplatin chemotherapy and irradiation of the primary lesion.
The therapeutic effect was maintained for 1 year, even after discontinuation of chemotherapy.
Authors suggest irinotecan and carboplatin should be considered for small-cell carcinoma of the bladder, and that irradiation of the primary lesion may be useful when metastatic extent is low.

Limitations: Single-patient case report (n=1); No control or comparison group; No chemotherapy dosing or schedule provided in abstract; Limited follow-up reported (1 year); Findings may not generalize to other patients or settings.

AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Sep 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text

ReviewMixed resultsLimited evidenceTier 4 · clinical

Management of Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma

Frontiers in oncology · Aug 2021 · Literature review (PubMed search for "Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma" and "High grade neuroendocrine carcinoma")

Irinotecan Etoposidelarge cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC)pulmonary LCNECextra-pulmonary LCNECgastrointestinal LCNEC

This is a literature review summarizing current management strategies for large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC). The authors report that in advanced LCNEC platinum-based chemotherapy combined with etoposide or irinotecan remains commonly used first-line, while extra-thoracic LCNEC may be treated with regimens such as FOLFOX, FOLFIRI or CAPTEM. They highlight recent advances in molecular classification of LCNEC and note that immunotherapy agents are an emerging area that may guide future treatments.

Studied with: etoposide, irinotecan, FOLFOX, FOLFIRI, CAPTEM.

Key findings

LCNEC is a rare, aggressive neoplasm most commonly occurring in the lung and gastrointestinal tract.
The review summarizes data-driven best practices for management of both early and advanced stage LCNEC.
In advanced disease, platinum-based therapy combined with etoposide or irinotecan remains among commonly used first-line therapies.
For extra-thoracic LCNEC, regimens such as FOLFOX, FOLFIRI and CAPTEM are also used.
Recent advances in understanding genetic subcategories and the use of immunotherapy agents may guide future treatments.

Limitations: This is a review article and does not present new primary patient- or experimental-level data.; Selection of papers was based on relevance and the methods do not describe systematic inclusion/exclusion criteria, introducing potential selection bias.; Rarity and heterogeneity of LCNEC limit the available evidence and generalizability of recommendations.; The abstract reports no quantitative outcome data or pooled effect estimates..

AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text

ReviewMixed resultsModerate evidenceTier 4 · clinical

Therapeutic strategies in epithelial ovarian cancer

Journal of experimental & clinical cancer research : CR · Feb 2012 · review

Irinotecan Bevacizumab Cisplatinepithelial ovarian cancerprimary peritoneal carcinomaclear cell adenocarcinoma (ovarian)serous adenocarcinoma (ovarian)

This review summarizes current therapeutic approaches for epithelial ovarian cancer, noting standard treatment is cytoreductive surgery plus taxane-and-platinum chemotherapy. It highlights that many apparent primary ovarian carcinomas may arise from the fimbria, that clear cell histology is relatively chemoresistant to carboplatin/paclitaxel and may respond to irinotecan plus cisplatin, and that targeted agents such as bevacizumab and PARP inhibitors are promising with some studies showing improved progression-free survival for bevacizumab.

Studied with: paclitaxel + platinum, irinotecan + cisplatin, bevacizumab (with chemotherapy).

Key findings

Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy.
Many tumors thought to be primary ovarian or peritoneal carcinomas may originate from the fimbria of the fallopian tube.
Standard treatment is cytoreductive surgery plus combination chemotherapy using taxane and platinum.
Clear cell ovarian carcinoma shows relative resistance to carboplatin and paclitaxel and therefore has poorer prognosis compared with serous adenocarcinoma in advanced stages.
Irinotecan plus cisplatin therapy may be effective for clear cell adenocarcinoma.
Bevacizumab (anti-VEGF) and PARP inhibitors are promising molecular targeted drugs in ovarian cancer.
A few recent studies demonstrated positive results of bevacizumab on progression-free survival, but investigations of molecular targeted drugs in ovarian cancer are still underway.

Limitations: This publication is a review and does not present new primary data.; The abstract cites only 'a few recent studies' for bevacizumab, indicating limited summarized evidence in this text.; No quantitative results, sample sizes, or detailed trial designs are provided in the abstract.; Statements about efficacy for specific subtypes (e.g., clear cell) are not supported by detailed outcome data in the abstract..

Overview of therapeutic strategies and emerging targeted therapies for epithelial ovarian cancer.

AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jul 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed · Full text

Animal studyReported positivePreclinical onlyTier 2 · animal

Theanine and glutamate transporter inhibitors enhance the antitumor efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents

Biochimica et biophysica acta · Dec 2003

Irinotecan Cisplatin Doxorubicinovarian sarcoma (M5076)

In mice bearing M5076 ovarian sarcoma, co-administration of theanine increased tumor doxorubicin concentration, enhanced the antitumor activity of doxorubicin and suppressed hepatic metastasis, while not increasing doxorubicin levels in normal tissues or worsening markers of doxorubicin-induced toxicity. In vitro, theanine inhibited glutamate uptake and doxorubicin efflux from tumor cells, reduced intracellular glutamate, GSH and GS-DOX conjugate levels, and the authors propose involvement of MRP5/GS-X export; similar effects were seen with specific glutamate transporter inhibitors and with other chemotherapeutics.

Studied with: doxorubicin, other anthracyclines, cisplatin, irinotecan, green tea (oral).

Key findings

In M5076 ovarian sarcoma-bearing mice, theanine significantly enhanced the inhibitory effect of DOX on tumor growth and increased the DOX concentration in the tumor, compared to DOX-alone group.
Oral administration of theanine or green tea similarly enhanced the antitumor activity of DOX.
The combination of theanine with DOX suppressed the hepatic metastasis of ovarian sarcoma.
An increase in DOX concentration was not observed in normal tissues such as liver and heart, and theanine tended to normalize DOX-induced increases in lipid peroxide levels and reduction of glutathione peroxidase activity.
In vitro, theanine inhibited the efflux of DOX from tumor cells and significantly inhibited glutamate uptake by M5076 cells similar to specific inhibitors.
Two astrocytic high-affinity glutamate transporters, GLAST and GLT-1, were expressed in M5076 cells.
Theanine-induced reduction of intracellular glutamate caused decreases in intracellular glutathione (GSH) and GS-DOX conjugate levels; expression of MRP5 suggests export of GS-DOX via the MRP5/GS-X pump, which theanine affected.
DHK and L-serine-O-sulfate (SOS), specific glutamate transporter inhibitors, also enhanced DOX antitumor activity via inhibition of glutamate uptake.
Theanine enhanced the antitumor activities of other anthracyclines, cisplatin and irinotecan in this experimental context.

Limitations: Preclinical study in a single mouse tumor model and in vitro cell line; no human data reported.; Abstract does not report sample sizes, dosing regimens, or duration of treatment.; Safety and efficacy in humans are not evaluated; applicability to clinical chemotherapy is speculative.; Mechanistic links are inferred from in vitro findings and expression data rather than directly proven in patients..

AI summary of the abstract, human-reviewed · Jun 2026. Describes what this study reported, not medical advice. View on PubMed

What changed recently

The latest additions to Irinotecan's evidence base, and anything that's been retracted.

Recently added

Metastatic small-cell carcinoma of the bladder that maintains a complete response to chemoradiation therapy Case report · added Sep 2026
Therapeutic strategies in epithelial ovarian cancer Review · added Jul 2026
Management of Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma Review · added Jun 2026
Theanine and glutamate transporter inhibitors enhance the antitumor efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents Animal study · added Jun 2026

Cancers where Irinotecan reported positive results

Where at least one study reported a positive result, shown with the full picture, not just the wins. Positive results are more likely to be published, and most of these are early lab or animal studies that may not translate to people. This reports what studies found, not what works.

Preclinical only: lab / animal (2)

Small-cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder1 positive

Cited positive studies (1)

Metastatic small-cell carcinoma of the bladder that maintains a complete response to chemoradiation therapy Case report · Oct 2022

Ovarian sarcoma (M5076)1 positive1 animal

Cited positive studies (1)

Theanine and glutamate transporter inhibitors enhance the antitumor efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents Animal study · Dec 2003

Evidence at a glance: Irinotecan by cancer

A deterministic grade of what published studies report for each: strength of evidence, the reported direction, and the largest credible effect, strongest-evidence first. This summarizes findings; it is not a claim that anything works.

Ovarian sarcoma (M5076)Animal onlyReported positive1 animal

Animal studies only — no human data.

Most authoritative study: Theanine and glutamate transporter inhibitors enhance the antitumor efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents

No human studies yet · No numeric effect sizes reported · Based on a single study.

Clear cell adenocarcinoma (ovarian)Insufficient evidenceMixed results