The stability and compatibility of topotecan hydrochloride with common infusion solutions and containers were studied. During this study, the leaching of diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), a major plasticizer of some polyvinyl chloride (PVC) materials was also investigated. A formulation of topotecan hydrochloride was added to 50 ml PVC infusion bags, polyolefin infusion bags and 150 ml glass bottles containing either 5% dextrose injection or 0.9% sodium chloride injection at an initial nominal topotecan concentration of 0.05 mg ml-1. Additionally, the topotecan hydrochloride formulation was added to 50 ml PVC infusion bags containing either 5% dextrose injection or 0.9% sodium chloride injection at an initial nominal topotecan concentration of 0.025 mg ml-1.

Craig, S. B., Bhatt, U. H., & Patel, K. (1997). Stability and compatibility of topotecan hydrochloride for injection with common infusion solutions and containers. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis, 16(2), 199-205.

Ovarian cancer is the most common gynaecological cancer, with an annual incidence of 21.9 per 100,000 women in England and 26.7 per 100,000 in Wales (2000 figures). The prognosis is generally poor, owing to the advanced stage of disease at detection in most cases, and the UK 5-year survival rate is only around 30%. The current guidance issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is that first-line chemotherapy should include either paclitaxel in combination with a platinum-based chemotherapy regimen, or a platinum-based regimen alone (carboplatin or cisplatin). As the majority of patients ultimately relapse and require treatment with second-line therapy, the guidance is that patients who have received recommended first-line therapy should not be treated with the same agents. Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin hydrocholoride (PLDH), topotecan and paclitaxel may therefore be considered alongside other drugs licensed for second-line therapy in advanced ovarian cancer. Participants who had not received paclitaxel as a component of first-line therapy may receive it as second-line.

Main, C., Bojke, L., Griffin, S., Norman, G., Barbieri, M., Mather, L., ... & Riemsma, R. (2006). Topotecan, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin hydrochloride and paclitaxel for second-line or subsequent treatment of advanced ovarian cancer: a systematic review and economic evaluation.