CLINICAL-SIGNIFICANCE OF CELLULAR-RESISTANCE IN TUMORS TO CYTOTOXIC CHEMOTHERAPY AND RADIOTHERAPY

Cellular resistance is a significant component of tumour treatment fai lure. More detailed understanding of resistance mechanisms has enabled us to plan circumvention strategies, though these are not yet in rout ine clinical use. Such resistance is, however, only one of several fac tors which render cure of advanced malignant disease difficult. It is important for researchers in this field to see not only therapeutic op portunities but also limitations of these approaches. It is hoped that increased cooperation between clinicians and scientists in the field of cellular resistance will yield further improvement in tumour respon se rates and cure.