| abstract |
10-hydroxy 7-ethyl camptothecin (HECPT), an active metabolite of the camptothecin analog CPT-11, is poorly soluble in water. Because of its poor solubility, HECPT has not been directly administered by parenteral or oral routes in human patients for the purpose of inhibiting the growth of tumors. The invention provides a pharmaceutically acceptable formulation in the form of an acidic solution or suspension comprising (1) HECPT, preponderantly in the desired lactone form (1a) and (2) dimethylisosorbide or dimethylacetamide. |