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Current concepts of treatment in medical oncology: new anticancer drugs
1Klinik fur Tumorbiologie an der Albert-Ludwigs-Universitat Freiburg, Germany.
Abstract:
General principles for anticancer drug development include traditional drug-screening methods in biological test systems. Today, testing of a drug in a panel of selected human tumor xenografts in mice is assumed to have the best predictive value for clinical efficacy. Chemical modification of well-known antitumor drugs from compound groups such as purine analogs, vinca alkaloids, antifolates and platinum analogs are carried out to increase anticancer activity, to reduce toxic side-effects and to improve pharmacokinetic properties of the drugs. In the last decade the enormous development in molecular techniques has led to the discovery of key proteins that are intimately involved in the regulation of cancer growth control. Cell growth inhibitors could be developed by structure-based design, creating small organic molecules ("peptide mimetics") to target crucial enzymes, oncogenes or oncogene products, tumor-suppressor genes and their products as well as growth factors and their corresponding receptors. Drugs representing new leading structures, like alkylphosphocholines, topoisomerase I inhibitors, taxoids and suramin, have already entered the clinic. Novel therapeutic approaches may provide substantial progress in cancer treatment in the very near future. Examples are the concept of high-dose chemotherapy with hematopoietic stem cell support, the various strategies of gene therapy, the modulation of multi-drug resistance of cancer cells, and strategies to inhibit tumor angiogenesis.
Insights
Anticancer drug development advances through xenograft testing and molecular targeting. New therapies like gene therapy and angiogenesis inhibitors promise significant progress in cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Traditional anticancer drug development relies on biological test systems and xenograft models for predicting clinical efficacy.
- Advancements in molecular techniques have identified key proteins regulating cancer growth, enabling targeted drug design.
- Established drug classes like purine analogs and platinum analogs are chemically modified to enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review general principles and recent advancements in anticancer drug development.
- To highlight the shift towards molecularly targeted therapies and novel treatment strategies.
- To discuss the potential of new therapeutic approaches for future cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of traditional drug-screening methods and xenograft models.
- Analysis of chemical modifications of existing anticancer drugs.
- Exploration of structure-based drug design targeting key cancer-related proteins.
- Discussion of emerging therapeutic strategies.
Main Results:
- Chemical modifications aim to increase anticancer activity, reduce toxicity, and improve pharmacokinetics.
- Structure-based design enables the development of small organic molecules targeting specific cancer pathways.
- New drug classes like alkylphosphocholines and topoisomerase I inhibitors have entered clinical use.
- Novel approaches such as gene therapy and anti-angiogenesis strategies show promise.
Conclusions:
- Anticancer drug development is evolving from traditional screening to targeted molecular therapies.
- New leading structures and therapeutic strategies offer substantial potential for improving cancer treatment outcomes.
- Continued research into molecular mechanisms and innovative therapeutic approaches is crucial for future progress.