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Systemic treatment of cancer
1University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA.
CA: a Cancer Journal for Clinicians
|May 1, 1996
Summary
For 50 years, researchers have sought effective cancer treatments. This update reviews the progress in systematic cancer therapy, including cytotoxic, hormonal, and biologic agents.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Systematic cancer treatment research spans five decades.
- Evolution of therapeutic agents from cytotoxic and hormonal to biologic agents.
- Ongoing quest for profound and lasting effects on human cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a periodic update on the current status of systematic cancer treatment.
- To review advancements in chemotherapeutic, hormonal, and biologic cancer therapies.
- To inform clinicians and researchers on the latest developments in cancer management.
Main Methods:
- Review of systematically administered agents.
- Analysis of cytotoxic, hormonal, and biologic therapeutic approaches.
- Synthesis of information from the 10th update in a series.
Main Results:
- Significant evolution in cancer treatment modalities over 50 years.
- Introduction and increasing use of biologic agents alongside traditional therapies.
- Continued search for agents with profound and lasting anti-cancer effects.
Conclusions:
- Systematic cancer treatment has progressed significantly.
- Biologic agents represent a recent advancement in cancer therapy.
- The development of effective, long-lasting cancer treatments remains an active area of research.
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