Clinical Trials

Multiple clinical trials are currently evaluating irinotecan formulations across Phase 1, Phase 1/2, and Phase 2 studies. Sponsored by academic institutions and industry entities—including Fudan University, Erasmus Medical Center, and Biocity Biopharmaceutics—these trials range from not yet recruiting to actively recruiting. Clinical research focuses on small cell lung cancer and gastrointestinal malignancies, such as metastatic colorectal, gastric, pancreatic, and peritoneal cancers, evaluating irinotecan in combination chemotherapies and advanced liposomal formulations.

NCT Number Recruitment Conditions Sponsor/Collaborators Start Date Phases
NCT05854498 Recruiting
Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
University of Wisconsin Madison|Ipsen
2023-10-13 Phase 2
NCT05732129 Not yet recruiting
Homologous Recombination Deficiency Alterations Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Fudan University
2023-03-01 Phase 2
NCT05731518 Recruiting
Small Cell Lung Cancer
Biocity Biopharmaceutics Co. Ltd.
2023-02-23 Phase 1|Phase 2
NCT06003998 Recruiting
Colorectal Cancer|Peritoneal Metastases
Catharina Ziekenhuis Eindhoven
2022-12-27 Phase 2
NCT05277766 Recruiting
Peritoneal Carcinomatosis|Peritoneal Metastases|Colorectal Cancer|Small Bowel Cancer|Appendix Cancer|Gastric Cancer|Pancreatic Cancer|Bile Duct Cancer
University Hospital Ghent|Kom Op Tegen Kanker|University Ghent
2022-11-21 Phase 1
NCT05379790 Recruiting
Gastric Cancer|Peritoneal Metastases
Erasmus Medical Center
2022-05-25 Phase 1

(data from https://clinicaltrials.gov, updated on 2024-05-22)

Check the Irinotecan Hydrochloride Trihydrate product page for in-depth specifications, including solubility, stock solutions, MOA, and working concentrations.

Compliance for Clinical Use

Mechanism and Biochemical Profile

Irinotecan hydrochloride trihydrate binds to topoisomerase I and prevents the religation of DNA strands during cleavage, leading to the accumulation of single- and double-stranded DNA breaks during replication. This persistent genomic damage triggers apoptotic cell death through mechanisms involving PARP cleavage and p53 activation, providing therapeutic efficacy against tumors studied in clinical trials such as metastatic colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, and small cell lung cancer.

Appendix RUO and cGMP Quality Standards

Quality Dimension RUO (Research Use Only) cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practice)
Clinical Applicability Prohibited in human clinical trials or medical diagnostics. Mandatory for human clinical trials (Phase I–III) and therapies.
Regulatory Status Non-regulated grade; exempt from drug manufacturing laws. Legally enforced by health authorities (e.g., FDA, EMA, NMPA).
Facility Environment Unclassified analytical or research laboratories. Validated Cleanrooms (ISO Class 5–8) with continuous monitoring.
Quality Control Basic purity and activity testing. Rigorous safety release testing (Sterility, Endotoxin, Mycoplasma).
Process Validation Basic equipment calibration; no process validation required. Full qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ) and complete batch records.
Quality Assurance Vendor self-declared without required formal QMS. Mandatory QA/QC unit, Change Control, CAPA, and vendor audits.
Regulatory Impact High risk of IND rejection if used as a critical raw material. Required for IND/NDA filings, supported by Drug Master Files (DMF).

Footnotes

Regulatory Note: Governed by FDA (21 CFR Parts 210/211/312), EMA (EudraLex Vol 4), ICH Guidelines (E6/Q7/Q9/Q10), and compendial standards (USP <71>/<85>/<1043>).

Note: Technical data last updated: Sep 1, 2026.