Cancer therapy for

Flutamide was the first drug used in prostate cancer therapy for which the withdrawal syndrome was reported. In that study, 40% of patients showed a decline in prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels after cessation of flutamide from the therapeutic protocol. The decline in PSA levels was associated with an improvement of the clinical symptoms. Based on these paradoxical observations, the concept of sequenced androgen ablation was proposed [217]. Several phase II clinical studies were performed, demonstrating safety and tolerability, however, a direct comparison in randomised phase III trials is necessary [218]. 

Some Japanese researchers at the Kyoto University of Medicines have developed a new method for removal of large stones (mineral deposits) in kidney and bladder by using micro-explosive charges without any surgery [118-120]. Recently, applications of underwater shock waves have been extended to various clinical therapies for example, in orthopedic surgery for bone formation [121, 122], in cancer therapy, for enhancement of chemotherapeutic effects [123] and in drug delivery [124, 125]. 

More and more patients seek advice on complementary medicine via the Internet. It is therefore important to monitor the validity of such advice. In one survey, most of the 13 most popular websites on complementary medicine for cancer recommended cancer therapies for which there was no evidence of efficacy (30). Three of the sites overtly discouraged cancer patients from using conventional therapies. When the study was repeated, this time focussing on HIV instead of cancer, the results were virtually identical (31). These findings were similar to those of another study of 61 popular websites on herbal medicines for cancer (32). Most of these sites were commercial by nature and claimed cancer cures through herbal medicines, with little regard for current regulations. 

In some cases, selective accumulation in the target area can be achieved, and this is of major interest in cancer therapy. For example, compared to normal tissue, tumor vessels can take up conjugates with a molecular weight >40 kDa. In addition, the lymphatic system in these areas is unable to provide a full drainage function, and this may lead to an enhanced perme-abihty and retention effect (EPR) of high-molecular weight compounds. Small molecules are not accumulated as they are able to diffuse back into the blood circulation... 

Alkylating agents have been of interest in cancer therapy for many years [113,114]. A typical aliphatic nitrogen mustard rapidly forms an aziridinium ion in aqueous solution, reactive towards nucleophiles such as DNA bases (and, in competition, water, thiols, etc.) ... 

It offers its services as mucosal vaccines, as antimicrobial agents, in cosmetics, in cancer therapy for prolonged release of drugs. 

Nevertheless, in some particular situations, CO can be considered a good choice for cancer treatment. Most of the data about CO s modulation of cell death indicate strong antiapoptotic properties, which is not compatible with chemotherapy strategies aiming the elimination of cancer cells. Thus, CORM-3 was used as an adjuvant in cancer therapy for limiting the antineoplastic agent cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity [109], and CORM-2 was used for limiting doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity [79]. 

The control of growth processes in bone by means of an effect directly operable at cellular level and activated by implantable materials or devices is a development yet awaited. Macromolecular chemistry may offer such a method for control as it does for cancer therapy. For the present, the control is somewhat less specific and has arisen from a clinical observation of bone healing in the presence of stiff metallic implants. 

Farokhzad and co-workers, together with Danger and co-workers, have investigated the nse of nanoparticles based on poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid)-f -PEG in prostate cancer therapy for several years [73-76]. The Farokhzad group has recently prepared... 

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