Definition

A form of the anticancer drug irinotecan hydrochloride that is contained inside very tiny, fat-like particles and is used with other drugs to treat adults with pancreatic cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It is used in patients whose cancer has not been treated with other anticancer therapy or has gotten worse after treatment with gemcitabine hydrochloride. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. PEP02 may have fewer side effects and work better than other forms of irinotecan hydrochloride. PEP02 blocks a certain enzyme needed for cell division and DNA repair, and it may kill cancer cells. It is a type of topoisomerase inhibitor and a type of camptothecin analog. Also called irinotecan sucrosofate and Onivyde.