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Details

Stereochemistry ABSOLUTE
Molecular Formula C20H23N7O7
Molecular Weight 473.4393
Optical Activity UNSPECIFIED
Defined Stereocenters 2 / 2
E/Z Centers 0
Charge 0

SHOW SMILES / InChI
Structure of LEVOLEUCOVORIN

SMILES

NC1=NC(=O)C2=C(NC[C@H](CNC3=CC=C(C=C3)C(=O)N[C@@H](CCC(O)=O)C(O)=O)N2C=O)N1

InChI

InChIKey=VVIAGPKUTFNRDU-STQMWFEESA-N
InChI=1S/C20H23N7O7/c21-20-25-16-15(18(32)26-20)27(9-28)12(8-23-16)7-22-11-3-1-10(2-4-11)17(31)24-13(19(33)34)5-6-14(29)30/h1-4,9,12-13,22H,5-8H2,(H,24,31)(H,29,30)(H,33,34)(H4,21,23,25,26,32)/t12-,13-/m0/s1

HIDE SMILES / InChI
Levoleucovorin is the pharmacologically active isomer of leucovorin or 5-formyl tetrahydrofolic acid, a folate analog . Levoleucovorin does not require reduction by the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase in order to participate in reactions utilizing folates as a source of “onecarbon” moieties. Administration of levoleucovorin can counteract the therapeutic and toxic effects of folic acid antagonists such as methotrexate, which act by inhibiting dihydrofolate reductase. Levoleucovorin can enhance the therapeutic and toxic effects of fluoropyrimidines used in cancer therapy such as 5-fluorouracil. 5-fluorouracil is metabolized to 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine-5'-monophosphate (FdUMP), which binds to and inhibits thymidylate synthase (an enzyme important in DNA repair and replication). Levoleucovorin is readily converted to another reduced folate, 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate, which acts to stabilize the binding of FdUMP to thymidylate synthase and thereby enhances the inhibition of this enzyme. Fusilev® (levoleucovorin) is approved by FDA for i) rescue after high-dose methotrexate therapy in osteosarcoma, ii) diminishing the toxicity and counteracting the effects of impaired methotrexate elimination and of inadvertent overdosage of folic acid antagonists and iii) in combination chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil in the palliative treatment of patients with advanced metastatic colorectal cancer.

Approval Year

Conditions

Conditions

ConditionModalityTargetsHighest PhaseProduct
Secondary
FUSILEV

Approved Use

Fusilev is a folate analog indicated for: Rescue after high-dose methotrexate therapy in osteosarcoma. Diminishing the toxicity and counteracting the effects of impaired methotrexate elimination and of inadvertent overdosage of folic acid antagonists. Use in combination chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil in the palliative treatment of patients with advanced metastatic colorectal cancer.

Launch Date

1.20484803E12
Palliative
FUSILEV

Approved Use

Fusilev is a folate analog indicated for: Rescue after high-dose methotrexate therapy in osteosarcoma. Diminishing the toxicity and counteracting the effects of impaired methotrexate elimination and of inadvertent overdosage of folic acid antagonists. Use in combination chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil in the palliative treatment of patients with advanced metastatic colorectal cancer.

Launch Date

1.20484803E12
Cmax

Cmax

ValueDoseCo-administeredAnalytePopulation
10895 ng/mL
200 mg/m² single, intravenous
dose: 200 mg/m²
route of administration: Intravenous
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
LEVOLEUCOVORIN unknown
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: UNKNOWN
food status: UNKNOWN
340 ng/mL
12.5 mg single, oral
dose: 12.5 mg
route of administration: Oral
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
LEVOMEFOLIC ACID serum
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: MALE
food status: FASTED
275 ng/mL
15 mg single, intravenous
dose: 15 mg
route of administration: Intravenous
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
LEVOMEFOLIC ACID serum
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: MALE
food status: UNKNOWN
4930 ng/mL
200 mg/m² single, intravenous
dose: 200 mg/m²
route of administration: Intravenous
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
LEVOMEFOLIC ACID unknown
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: UNKNOWN
food status: UNKNOWN
AUC

AUC

ValueDoseCo-administeredAnalytePopulation
30719 ng × h/mL
200 mg/m² single, intravenous
dose: 200 mg/m²
route of administration: Intravenous
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
LEVOLEUCOVORIN unknown
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: UNKNOWN
food status: UNKNOWN
1563 ng × h/mL
12.5 mg single, oral
dose: 12.5 mg
route of administration: Oral
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
LEVOMEFOLIC ACID serum
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: MALE
food status: FASTED
52105 ng × h/mL
200 mg/m² single, intravenous
dose: 200 mg/m²
route of administration: Intravenous
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
LEVOMEFOLIC ACID unknown
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: UNKNOWN
food status: UNKNOWN
T1/2

T1/2

ValueDoseCo-administeredAnalytePopulation
6.8 h
15 mg single, intravenous
dose: 15 mg
route of administration: Intravenous
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
LEVOMEFOLIC ACID serum
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: MALE
food status: UNKNOWN
Doses

Doses

DosePopulationAdverse events​
250 mg/m2 1 times / 2 weeks multiple, intravenous
Higher than recommended
Dose: 250 mg/m2, 1 times / 2 weeks
Route: intravenous
Route: multiple
Dose: 250 mg/m2, 1 times / 2 weeks
Co-administed with::
irinotecan, i.v(200 mg/m2)
5-fluorouracil, i.v(850 mg/m2)
Sources: Page: p.207
unhealthy, 39
n = 254
Health Status: unhealthy
Condition: Colorectal cancer
Age Group: 39
Sex: M+F
Population Size: 254
Sources: Page: p.207
Other AEs: Neutropenia...
Other AEs:
Neutropenia (grade 4, 15%)
Sources: Page: p.207
300 mg/m2 1 times / day multiple, intravenous
Highest studied dose
Dose: 300 mg/m2, 1 times / day
Route: intravenous
Route: multiple
Dose: 300 mg/m2, 1 times / day
Co-administed with::
etoposide, i.v(100 mg/m2/day; days 2-4)
5-fluorouracil, i.v(500 mg/m2/day; days 1-5)
Sources: Page: p.320
unhealthy, 66
n = 36
Health Status: unhealthy
Condition: Gastric cancer
Age Group: 66
Sex: M+F
Population Size: 36
Sources: Page: p.320
Other AEs: Leucopenia...
Other AEs:
Leucopenia (grade 4)
Sources: Page: p.320
AEs

AEs

AESignificanceDosePopulation
Neutropenia grade 4, 15%
250 mg/m2 1 times / 2 weeks multiple, intravenous
Higher than recommended
Dose: 250 mg/m2, 1 times / 2 weeks
Route: intravenous
Route: multiple
Dose: 250 mg/m2, 1 times / 2 weeks
Co-administed with::
irinotecan, i.v(200 mg/m2)
5-fluorouracil, i.v(850 mg/m2)
Sources: Page: p.207
unhealthy, 39
n = 254
Health Status: unhealthy
Condition: Colorectal cancer
Age Group: 39
Sex: M+F
Population Size: 254
Sources: Page: p.207
Leucopenia grade 4
300 mg/m2 1 times / day multiple, intravenous
Highest studied dose
Dose: 300 mg/m2, 1 times / day
Route: intravenous
Route: multiple
Dose: 300 mg/m2, 1 times / day
Co-administed with::
etoposide, i.v(100 mg/m2/day; days 2-4)
5-fluorouracil, i.v(500 mg/m2/day; days 1-5)
Sources: Page: p.320
unhealthy, 66
n = 36
Health Status: unhealthy
Condition: Gastric cancer
Age Group: 66
Sex: M+F
Population Size: 36
Sources: Page: p.320
Sourcing

Sourcing

Vendor/AggregatorIDURL
PubMed

PubMed

TitleDatePubMed
Lack of catalytic activity of a murine mRNA cytoplasmic serine hydroxymethyltransferase splice variant: evidence against alternative splicing as a regulatory mechanism.
2001 Apr 24
Re-evaluation of the metabolism of oral doses of racemic carbon-6 isomers of formyltetrahydrofolate in human subjects.
2001 Jun
Ontogeny of hepatic enzymes involved in serine- and folate-dependent one-carbon metabolism in rabbits.
2001 May
Mitochondria from cultured cells derived from normal and thiamine-responsive megaloblastic anemia individuals efficiently import thiamine diphosphate.
2002 Apr 25
Cloning and characterization of methenyltetrahydrofolate synthetase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
2002 Jun 7
Transport of 5-formyltetrahydrofolate into primary cultured cerebellar granule cells.
2003 Feb 7
Specific and sensitive quantification of folate vitamers in foods by stable isotope dilution assays using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
2003 May
Cerebral folate deficiency.
2004 Dec
Lack of impact of the loss of constitutive folate receptor alpha expression, achieved by RNA Interference, on the activity of the new generation antifolate pemetrexed in HeLa cells.
2004 Dec 1
Thymidylate synthase and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene polymorphisms: relationships with 5-fluorouracil sensitivity.
2004 Jan 26
Characterization of a folate transporter in HeLa cells with a low pH optimum and high affinity for pemetrexed distinct from the reduced folate carrier.
2004 Sep 15
5-Formyltetrahydrofolate is an inhibitory but well tolerated metabolite in Arabidopsis leaves.
2005 Jul 15
Inhibition of 5,10-methenyltetrahydrofolate synthetase.
2007 Feb 15
pH stability of individual folates during critical sample preparation steps in prevision of the analysis of plant folates.
2007 Nov-Dec
Folate content in sea buckthorn berries and related products (Hippophaë rhamnoides L. ssp. rhamnoides): LC-MS/MS determination of folate vitamer stability influenced by processing and storage assessed by stable isotope dilution assay.
2008 May
High-dose folate and dietary purines promote scavenging of peroxynitrite-derived radicals--clinical potential in inflammatory disorders.
2009 Nov
One-carbon metabolism in plants: characterization of a plastid serine hydroxymethyltransferase.
2010 Aug 15
Cerebral folate deficiency presenting as adolescent catatonic schizophrenia: a case report.
2010 Jul
The effect of folinic acid supplementation on homocysteine concentrations in newborns.
2010 Nov
Mutation of the proton-coupled folate transporter gene (PCFT-SLC46A1) in Turkish siblings with hereditary folate malabsorption.
2010 Nov
Properties of the Arg376 residue of the proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT-SLC46A1) and a glutamine mutant causing hereditary folate malabsorption.
2010 Nov

Sample Use Guides

Fusilev Rescue After High-Dose Methotrexate Therapy: Fusilev rescue recommendations are based on a methotrexate dose of 12 grams/m2 administered by intravenous infusion over 4 hours. Fusilev rescue at a dose of 7.5 mg (approximately 5 mg/m2) every 6 hours for 10 doses starts 24 hours after the beginning of the methotrexate infusion. Fusilev Administration in Combination with 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU): The following regimens have been used historically for the treatment of colorectal cancer: 1. Fusilev is administered at 100 mg/m2 by slow intravenous injection over a minimum of 3 minutes, followed by 5-FU at 370 mg/m2 by intravenous injection. 2. Fusilev is administered at 10 mg/m by 2 intravenous injection followed by 5-FU at 425 mg/m2 by intravenous injection.
Route of Administration: Intravenous
Name Type Language
LEVOLEUCOVORIN
VANDF  
Common Name English
LEVOFOLINIC ACID
WHO-DD  
Common Name English
L-FOLINIC ACID
Common Name English
Levofolinic acid [WHO-DD]
Common Name English
L-GLUTAMIC ACID, N-(4-((((6S)-2-AMINO-5-FORMYL-1,4,5,6,7,8-HEXAHYDRO-4-OXO-6-PTERIDINYL)METHYL)AMINO)BENZOYL)-
Common Name English
(S)-LEUCOVORIN
Common Name English
LFP-754
Code English
LEVOLEUCOVORIN [VANDF]
Common Name English
(6S)-LEUCOVORIN
Common Name English
KHAPZORY
Brand Name English
LEVOFOLENE
Common Name English
LEVOLEUCOVORIN [ORANGE BOOK]
Common Name English
Classification Tree Code System Code
LIVERTOX 554
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023
WHO-ATC V03AF10
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023
WHO-ATC V03AF04
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023
NCI_THESAURUS C2078
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023
FDA ORPHAN DRUG 48590
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023
FDA ORPHAN DRUG 48490
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023
Code System Code Type Description
EPA CompTox
DTXSID4023204
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023
PRIMARY
EVMPD
SUB34736
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023
PRIMARY
NCI_THESAURUS
C1559
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023
PRIMARY
CAS
68538-85-2
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023
PRIMARY
RXCUI
877015
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023
PRIMARY RxNorm
DRUG BANK
DB11596
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023
PRIMARY
DRUG CENTRAL
4384
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023
PRIMARY
CHEBI
63606
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023
PRIMARY
FDA UNII
990S25980Y
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023
PRIMARY
DAILYMED
990S25980Y
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023
PRIMARY
SMS_ID
100000128077
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023
PRIMARY
PUBCHEM
135398559
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 16:15:47 UTC 2023
PRIMARY