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Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology
Published in: Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology 1/2013

01-07-2013 | Review Article

Metronomic chemotherapy for cancer treatment: a decade of clinical studies

Authors: Adriana Romiti, M. Christina Cox, Ida Sarcina, Roberta Di Rocco, Chiara D’Antonio, Viola Barucca, Paolo Marchetti

Published in: Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology | Issue 1/2013

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Abstract

Purpose

Over the past few years, more and more new selective molecules directed against specific cellular targets have become available for cancer therapy, leading to impressive improvements. In this evolving scenario, a new way of delivering older cytotoxic drugs has also been developing. Many studies demonstrated that several cytotoxic drugs have antiangiogenic properties if administered frequently and at lower doses compared with standard schedules containing maximal tolerated doses (MTD). Such a new strategy, named metronomic chemotherapy, focuses on a different target: the slowly proliferating tumour endothelial cells. About 10 years ago, metronomic chemotherapy was firstly enunciated and hereafter many clinical experiences were published related to almost any cancer disease. This review analyses available studies dealing with metronomic chemotherapy and its combination with several targeted agents in solid tumours.

Methods

A computerized literature search of MEDLINE was performed using the following search terms: metronomic OR “continuous low dose” AND chemotherapy AND cancer OR solid tumours.

Results

Satisfactory results have been achieved in diverse tumour types, such as breast and prostate cancer or paediatric sarcomas. Moreover, many studies have reported that metronomic chemotherapy determined minimal toxicity compared to MTD chemotherapy. Overall, published series on metronomic schedules are very heterogeneous often reporting on retrospective data, while only very few studies were randomized trials. These limitations still prevent to draw definitive conclusions in diverse tumour types.

Conclusions

Large well-designed studies are eagerly awaited for confirming the promises of metronomic schedules and their combinations with targeted molecules.
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Metadata
Title
Metronomic chemotherapy for cancer treatment: a decade of clinical studies
Authors
Adriana Romiti
M. Christina Cox
Ida Sarcina
Roberta Di Rocco
Chiara D’Antonio
Viola Barucca
Paolo Marchetti
Publication date
01-07-2013
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology / Issue 1/2013
Print ISSN: 0344-5704
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0843
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00280-013-2125-x

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