Involvement of nitric oxide on the pathogenesis of irinotecan-induced intestinal mucositis: role of cytokines on inducible nitric oxide synthase activation.

Purpose: Intestinal mucositis and the closely associated diarrhea are common costly side effects of irinotecan. Cytokine modulators, such as thalidomide and pentoxifylline, are found capable of attenuating intestinal mucositis progression. Nitric oxide (NO) seems to be a key mediator of the antineoplastic drug toxicity.