Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Establishment of Cancer Stem Cell Cultures from Human Conventional Osteosarcoma
09:25

Establishment of Cancer Stem Cell Cultures from Human Conventional Osteosarcoma

Published on: October 14, 2016

Oral cancer chemotherapy in paediatric patients: obstacles and potential for development and utilisation

W A Bleyer1, M G Danielson

  • 1Division of Pediatrics, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA. ableyer@mdanderson.org

Drugs
|March 11, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Oral chemotherapy offers significant advantages for pediatric cancer patients, including improved safety, quality of life, and potential efficacy. Overcoming challenges like bioavailability and adherence is key to maximizing its benefits.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

  • Parenteral chemotherapy is standard for pediatric cancer.
  • Oral formulations are increasingly available for infants and children.
  • Oral chemotherapy offers benefits like safety, cost-effectiveness, and improved quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the advantages and challenges of oral chemotherapy in pediatric patients.
  • To explore strategies for overcoming limitations of oral chemotherapy in children.
  • To highlight the potential of oral chemotherapy for future pediatric cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing studies on oral chemotherapy in pediatrics.
  • Analysis of benefits, drawbacks, and solutions for oral chemotherapy administration.
  • Discussion of future directions and research needs in pediatric oral chemotherapy.

Main Results:

  • Oral chemotherapy provides enhanced safety, flexibility, and convenience for pediatric cancer treatment.
  • Key challenges include dose limitations, variable bioavailability, malabsorption, and adherence issues.
  • Technological advancements and pharmaceutical development can address many of these obstacles.

Conclusions:

  • Oral chemotherapy represents a promising and evolving treatment modality for pediatric cancer.
  • Addressing bioavailability and adherence is crucial for successful implementation.
  • Future research should focus on expanding oral formulations and optimizing their use in children.

More Related Videos

Therapy Testing in a Spheroid-based 3D Cell Culture Model for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma06:11

Therapy Testing in a Spheroid-based 3D Cell Culture Model for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Published on: April 20, 2018

Intracranial Cannula Implantation for Serial Locoregional Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T Cell Infusions in Mice05:22

Intracranial Cannula Implantation for Serial Locoregional Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T Cell Infusions in Mice

Published on: February 24, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
Treatment Resistent Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistent Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
Cancer Vaccines01:30

Cancer Vaccines

Cancer treatment vaccines are a rapidly evolving field that offers a promising approach to immunotherapy. Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent diseases, cancer treatment vaccines are designed to treat existing cancers by stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...