Patent ID: 6881420

Claim:
A method of inhibiting cell proliferation in a tumor of a patient by orally administering a gastric retention solid dosage form or liquid composition containing irinotecan to the patient, wherein the dosage form or liquid composition is retained in the stomach for a period of three hours or more and releases the irinotecan in the patient's stomach and at least a portion of the released irinotecan is converted into a metabolite before it is absorbed into the patient's bloodstream, wherein the metabolite can exist in an active lactone form and an inactive hydroxy acid form, wherein, the bioavailability of the lactone form of the metabolite is greater than the bioavailability of the lactone form of the metabolite when irinotecan is administered in a non-gastric retention solid dosage form or liquid composition, resulting in enhanced systemic delivery of the active form of the metabolite to the tumor.