Antineoplastic agents toxicity

Cancer. Cancer is a cellular malignancy characterized by loss of normal controls resulting in unregulated growth, lack of differentiation, and the abihty to invade local tissues and metastasize. Most cancers are potentially curable, if detected at an early enough stage. The ideal antineoplastic agent would destroy cancer cells without adverse effects or toxicities to normal cells. No such dmg exists. 

Finally these compounds may also present in the future some interest in the area of novel anti-tumor drugs, or in photochemotherapy [12], Up to now the mechanism of action of the Pt complexes as antineoplastic agents has been extensively examined [13]. In spite of their successful applications, there is a need in compounds that are less toxic than the Pt derivatives. Therefore novel photo-active metallic compounds could offer future possibilities for cancer treatment. The fact that a drug would become active exclusively under illumination might represent an advantage. 

Irinotecan has demonstrated a broad spectrum of activity in vitro and in vivo, and synergistic effects have been observed when it is administered in combination with other antineoplastic agents. Clinically irinotecan is now an active agent in patients with colorectal carcinoma. Irinotecan is metabolized by carboxylesterase to an active metabolite. It is cleared by hepatic metabolism and biliary excretion with a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 15 hours. The principal toxicities associated with irinotecan are diarrhoea and leucopenia. 

Intensive intermittent schedules of drug treatment should allow time for recovery from the acute toxic effects of antineoplastic agents, primarily bone marrow toxicity. The use of non-myelosuppressive agents can be considered during the recovery period, especially for treatment of fast-growing cancers. 

E. Intensive intermittent schedules allow time for recovery from the acute toxic effects of the antineoplastic agents. If a drug has no activity by itself, it is not likely to be beneficial in a combination. It is important not to include two drugs with the same dose-limiting toxicity. Most curable tumors require at least six to eight cycles of therapy. 

Razoxane (dexrazoxane), 1, 2-bis(3, 5-dioxopiperazin-l-yl)propane [21416-87-5], chelating agent decreases toxicity of some antineoplastic agents by removal of Fe. 

SAFETY PROFILE Suspected carcinogen with experimental tumorigenic data. A poison by ingestion, intraperitoneal, intravenous, and intracerebral routes. An experimental teratogen. Other experimental reproductive effects. Mutation data reported. An antineoplastic agent. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of Cr and NOx. 

Based on comparative studies of the relative gonadal toxicity of several antineoplastic agents in experimental models and humans, the vinca alkaloids vinblastine and vincristine have negligible potency for killing stem cells. Permanent recovery of sperm counts and preserved ovarian function, depending on the patient s age at the time of... 

Highly cytotoxic antineoplastic agents produce a variety of serious side effects in patients. This problem has stimulated the search for compounds that protect patients from certain specific toxicities and thus permit the antineoplastic agents to be given in larger dose.s. The following three widely different cytoprotective agents have been approved for clinical use in the United State.s. 

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