20th-century advances in drug therapy in oncology - Part II

Ongoing research in cancer therapy has led to the development of antineopla stic agents which target specific components of the cell cycle. In Part LT of this series, we discuss agents which target the mitotic mechanism by inh ibiting microtubules. Although many of these agents are being shown to have multiple effects, the Vinca alkaloids and the taxanes are known as antimit otic drugs. They are among the most important anticancer agents currently a vailable, and because of their unique mechanisms, can be combined with a wi de variety of other antineoplastic agents in a spectrum of diseases. In add ition, in part II, we are discussing agents that target DNA and prevent rep lication and thus cell growth by inhibiting the enzymes which protect DNA d uring replication, the topoisomerases. These drugs, too, have unique mechan isms of action and have become major components of combination regimens. Th e topoisomerase I inhibitors are new drugs derived from an older parent dru g, and their full possibilities are still being explored. (C) 2000 the Amer ican College of Clinical Pharmacology.