Publisher's Synopsis
"Cancer Chemotherapy and Biological Response Modifiers" is a successful annual book series of approximately 15 years standing. Continuing in the tradition of the series, Annual 15 offers critical reviews of the recent, major developments in pharmacology of anti-cancer agents, the area of biologicals and the clinical management of the cancer patient.;In 1993, new compounds continued to generate great interest, both clinically and in the laboratory. The taxanes will clearly gain important roles in the treatment of a number of solid tumors, especially breast, lung, ovarian and head and neck cancer. Similarly, the camptothecins (esp. CPT-11, topotecan), are showing interesting activity in solid tumors. The uses and pharmacology of these as well as the other new agents reviewed in this year's annual will undoubtedly become the basis of a better cancer chemotherapy in the near future. Another approach which seems promising is the use of moderately high and particularly high dose chemotherapy in solid tumors. Unfortunately, many of the reported studies are not randomized. There is an urgent need to compare this approach with conventional chemotherapy as there are only very few clear cut indications for high dose chemotherapy. Studies which seem most relevant are upfront high dose chemotherapy compared to conventional chemotherapy in high risk testicular non-seminomas. Also, results of the Dutch and Italian randomized adjuvant chemotherapy trials in breast cancer are being awaited with great interest.;Biological treatment continues to yield interesting results. Early clinical trials in the field of anti-angiogenesis, anti-invasive and anti-metastatic drugs have been initiated. New cytokines are being developed and entering the clinic as well.;Altogether, medical oncology in the 1990s is developing into a most complex discipline. The reader will find each of the developments summarized by front runners in the field.
