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[Clinically important antineoplastic agents and risks and limits of their use]
Abstract:
Since the introduction of the systematic development of cytostatic drugs at the beginning of the fifties ca. 1 million substances (natural products and synthetic ones) have undergone a screening and testing on continuously further developing biological systems. As a result nowadays more than ca. 20 cytostatic drugs of unequivocally proven value are at our disposal. According to their mechanism of action these preparations are subdivided into alkylantions, antimetabolites, antibiotics and substances of different efficacy. At present hormones as alternatives of the antineoplastic chemotherapy in carcinoma of the breast and the prostatic gland very dynamically develop. While cytostatic drugs in leukaemias, lymphomas, the chorionepithelioma as well as in the metastasizing carcinoma of the breast, the ovarial carcinoma and the small cell carcinoma of the lung nowadays render possible the prolongation of life, their final value is still to be clarified in other neoplastic diseases. At present the tumour chemotherapy experiences an extremely dynamic development. Hereby apart from after- and side-developments (analogues, derivatives) above all substances with principally new principle of action gain interest and importance (PALA, mitocentron, aminogluthetimide, interferon). The short-term and middle-term risks of antineoplastic drugs are relatively well known. Long-term investigations of side-effects of cytostatic drugs are still infrequent.
Insights
Over 20 cytostatic drugs are now available, with ongoing research into novel anticancer agents and hormone therapies. Long-term side effects of these vital cancer treatments require further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Oncology and Pharmacology
- Drug Discovery and Development
Context:
- Systematic development of cytostatic drugs began in the 1950s.
- Approximately 1 million natural and synthetic substances have been screened.
- Over 20 cytostatic drugs with proven efficacy are currently available.
Purpose:
- To review the current landscape of cytostatic drugs and their development.
- To highlight advancements in antineoplastic chemotherapy, including hormone therapies and novel agents.
- To address the known efficacy and evolving understanding of risks associated with cancer treatments.
Summary:
- Cytostatic drugs are categorized by mechanism: alkylating agents, antimetabolites, antibiotics, and others.
- Hormone therapies are rapidly developing as alternatives for breast and prostate cancers.
- While cytostatic drugs extend life for certain cancers, their long-term value and risks are under continuous evaluation.
- New agents with novel mechanisms, such as PALA, mitocentron, aminogluthetimide, and interferon, are gaining importance.
Impact:
- Cytostatic drugs prolong survival for specific cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, and advanced breast cancer.
- The dynamic development of tumor chemotherapy offers new hope and treatment options.
- Further long-term studies are needed to fully understand the side effects of cytostatic drugs.