[Anticancer drug research in Hungary, 1950-2000]

The present review about the history of anticancer drug research in Hungary intends to call attention to the importance of studies on their mode of action. Several lines of evidence suggest that clinically usable oncopharmacological properties could be revealed by this way. Among the numerous compounds certain alkylating sugar alcohols and 2'-deoxyuridine derivatives were submitted to detailed investigations concerning their mode of action. Myelobromol with selective action on the myeloid elements of bone marrow has been justified for its application in chronic myeloid leukemia therapy and also in bone marrow ablation before transplantation. Mitolactol is able to cross bloodbrain barrier, consequently could control certain brain tumors. 5-etil-2'-deoxyuridine by reducing dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase activity is able to increase 5-fluorouracil concentration in the blood, resulting in improved antitumor effect. In contrast, 5-hexil-2'-deoxyuridine, as an inhibitor of glycoconjugate pathway by reducing heparan sulfate production, has the ability to prevent metastasis. Noteworthy, the remarkable effects of vinca alkaloids, antiestrogens, and GNRH analogues were also presented in this review.