• What is leucovorin?

  Leucovorin calcium is a type of drug called a folic acid analog, which means it is similar to the vitamin folic acid. It is used in combination with certain chemotherapy drugs to enhance their ability to kill cancer cells (for example, fluorouracil) or to lessen their harmful side effects (for example, methotrexate). It is a type of chemoprotective agent and a type of chemosensitizing agent. Leucovorin is the active ingredient of leucovorin calcium. Also called citrovorum factor and folinic acid.

  Leucovorin calcium is approved to be used alone or with other drugs to treat:

  • Colorectal cancer. It is used with fluorouracil as palliative treatment in patients with advanced disease.
  • Anemia. It is used to treat megaloblastic anemia that occurs when the body does not get enough of a vitamin called folic acid. It is used by patients who cannot take the vitamin by mouth.

  Leucovorin calcium is also used to prevent and treat the toxic effects of high-dose methotrexate when used to treat osteosarcoma and other types of cancer. It is also used to treat overdoses of methotrexate or other folic acid antagonists.

  The drug is also being studied in the treatment of other conditions and types of cancer.

• References

These FAQs provide a summary of the most important information about Leucovorin Injection. If you would like more information or have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider.

• What is fluorouracil?

  Fluorouracil is a type of chemotherapy drug called an antimetabolite. It mimics one of the building blocks of RNA and DNA, which disrupts the ability of the cells to make DNA and proteins. This slows or stops the growth of cancer cells and other rapidly dividing cells and causes them to die.

  Fluorouracil injection is approved to treat:

  • Breast cancer.
  • Colorectal cancer.
  • Gastric (stomach) cancer.
  • Pancreatic cancer.

  Fluorouracil is also called 5-FU. Fluorouracil is also being studied in the treatment of other conditions and types of cancer.

  Fluorouracil is also available in a topical form.

• References

These FAQs provide a summary of the most important information about Fluorouracil Injection. If you would like more information or have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider.

• What is irinotecan?

  Irinotecan hydrochloride is a prescription medicine used alone or with other drugs to treat colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It is used in patients whose cancer has not already been treated or whose cancer has recurred (come back) or has gotten worse after treatment with anticancer drugs that included fluorouracil. Irinotecan hydrochloride 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. Irinotecan is the active ingredient of irinotecan hydrochloride. Also called Camptosar and CPT 11.

  Irinotecan hydrochloride is approved to be used alone or with other drugs to treat:

  • Colorectal cancer that has metastasized (spread to other parts of the body), including metastatic cancer that has recurred (come back) or has not gotten better with other chemotherapy.

  Irinotecan hydrochloride is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.

  Irinotecan hydrochloride is also available in a different form called irinotecan hydrochloride liposome.

• References

These FAQs provide a summary of the most important information about Irinotecan Injection. If you would like more information or have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider.

• What is cetuximab?

  Cetuximab is a prescription medicine used alone or with other drugs to treat certain types of head and neck cancer and colorectal cancer. Cetuximab binds to a protein called EGFR, which is found on some types of cancer cells. This may help keep cancer cells from growing. Cetuximab is a type of monoclonal antibody.

  Cetuximab is approved to be used alone or with other drugs to treat:

  • Colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It is used:
    • In patients whose cancer has the EGFR protein and the wild-type KRAS gene. It is used:
      • With FOLFIRI combination chemotherapy as the first treatment.
      • With irinotecan hydrochloride in patients whose cancer was treated with chemotherapy that included irinotecan hydrochloride but it did not work or is no longer working.
      • Alone in patients whose cancer did not respond to oxaliplatin and irinotecan hydrochloride or who cannot be treated with irinotecan hydrochloride.
    • In adults whose cancer has a certain mutation in the BRAF gene. It is given with encorafenib.
  • Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. It is used:
    • With radiation therapy in patients with locally or regionally advanced cancer.
    • With platinum chemotherapy and fluorouracil in patients with locally or regionally recurrent cancer or metastatic cancer.
    • Alone in patients with recurrent or metastatic cancer that got worse after platinum chemotherapy.

  Cetuximab is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.

• References

These FAQs provide a summary of the most important information about Cetuximab Injection. If you would like more information or have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider.