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Etoposide
Etoposide is a derivative of podophyllotoxin which inhibits DNA topoisomerase II and thereby, DNA synthesis. It is cell cycle dependent and only works on certain phases of cellular division.1
- Bladder cancer
- Brain tumours
- Small cell carcinoma of bronchus2,3
- Lymphomas (Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, Hodgkin's Lymphoma)4
- Testicular cancer5
- Acute leukaemias (Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia)
Of the list etoposide is most commonly used in lung, ovarian and testicular cancers.
- Renal impairment
- Liver impairment - contraindicated if severe liver dysfunction
- Increased anticoagulant effect with warfarin
- Agranulocytosis risk increased with clozapine
- Ciclosporin increases etoposide levels
- Decreases absorption of phenytoin
- Mucositis and taste alteration is common
- Nausea and vomiting and diarrhoea
- Alopecia begins 3 weeks after first dose
- Myelosuppression - therefore not given at intervals shorter than 3 weeks apart
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Cardiovascular: congestive cardiac failure and myocardial ischemia reported6
- Hepatotoxicity rarely7
It can be given orally or via intravenous infusion (daily for up to a week).
Document References
- American Cancer Society; What are the different types of chemotherpy drugs? Apr 2005
- Ciombor KK, Rocha Lima CM; Management of small cell lung cancer.; Curr Treat Options Oncol. 2006 Jan;7(1):59-68. [abstract]
- Stewart DJ; Topotecan in the first-line treatment of small cell lung cancer.; Oncologist. 2004;9 Suppl 6:33-42. [abstract]
- Cheson BD; What is new in lymphoma?; CA Cancer J Clin. 2004 Sep-Oct;54(5):260-72. [abstract]
- Jones RH, Vasey PA; Part II: testicular cancer--management of advanced disease.; Lancet Oncol. 2003 Dec;4(12):738-47. [abstract]
- Rang, H.P., Dale, M.M., Ritter, J.M. and Moore, P.K. (2003) Pharmacology, 5th ed, Bath, Churchill Livingstone.
- Summary of Product Characteristics - Eposin, Medac GmbH (updated 10 Jan 2005) electronic Medicines Compendium
Internet and Further Reading
- Cancerbackup - Etoposide drug information
DocID: 321
Document Version: 2
DocRef: bgp25260
Last Updated: 4 Sep 2007
Review Date: 3 Sep 2008
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