Metronomic chemotherapy: changing the paradigm that more is better.
Curr Oncol
; 16(2): 7-15, 2009 Mar.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-19370174
ABSTRACT
The introduction of the "maximum tolerated dose" in usual treatment protocols (and its concomitant overt toxicity) made necessary the imposition of rest periods between cycles of therapy-a practice that not only involves re-growth of tumour cells, but also growth of selected clones resistant to the therapy. To avoid the problems caused by traditional chemotherapeutic regimens, a new modality of drug administration called "metronomic chemotherapy" has been proposed. This name makes reference to the chronic, equally spaced administration of (generally) low doses of various chemotherapeutic drugs without extended rest periods. The novelty of this treatment modality lies not only in its antitumour efficacy with very low toxicity, but also in a cell target switch, now aiming at tumour endothelial cells. The knowledge acquired in the experimental field of metronomic chemotherapy, plus the increasing experience that is being obtained in the clinical setting, will help to lead a change in the design of therapeutic protocols against cancer.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Tipo de estudo:
Guideline
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2009
Tipo de documento:
Article