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Metronomic chemotherapy: new rationale for new directions
- Source :
- Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology. 7:455-465
- Publication Year :
- 2010
- Publisher :
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2010.
-
Abstract
- Tumor angiogenesis is recognized as a major therapeutic target in the fight against cancer. The key involvement of angiogenesis in tumor growth and metastasis has started to redefine chemotherapy and new protocols have emerged. Metronomic chemotherapy, which is intended to prevent tumor angiogenesis, is based on more frequent and low-dose drug administrations compared with conventional chemotherapy. The potential of metronomic chemotherapy was revealed in animal models a decade ago and the efficacy of this approach has been confirmed in the clinic. In the past 5 years, multiple clinical trials have investigated the safety and efficacy of metronomic chemotherapy in a variety of human cancers. While the results have been variable, clinical studies have shown that these new treatment protocols represent an interesting alternative for either primary systemic therapy or maintenance therapy. We review the latest clinical trials of metronomic chemotherapy in adult and pediatric cancer patients. Accumulating evidence suggests that the efficacy of such treatment may not only rely on anti-angiogenic activity. Potential new mechanisms of action, such as restoration of anticancer immune response and induction of tumor dormancy are discussed. Finally, we highlight the research efforts that need to be made to facilitate the optimal development of metronomic chemotherapy.
- Subjects :
- Oncology
medicine.medical_specialty
Time Factors
medicine.medical_treatment
Angiogenesis Inhibitors
Antineoplastic Agents
Pharmacology
T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory
Metastasis
Maintenance therapy
Neoplasms
Internal medicine
Humans
Medicine
Chemotherapy
Neovascularization, Pathologic
business.industry
Cancer
medicine.disease
Metronomic Chemotherapy
Pediatric cancer
Clinical trial
Treatment Outcome
Disease Progression
Angiogenesis Inducing Agents
business
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 17594782 and 17594774
- Volume :
- 7
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....0c6bd174ce9ba8d30a4a4516d434dd20