The role of pro-drug therapy in the treatment of cancer

The administration of anti-cancer agents is currently associated with significant toxicity and lack of tumour specificity. Prodrugs are being designed to favourably alter the therapeutic index of these agents by improving their efficacy and reducing toxicity. Progress in the development of prodrugs...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Drug Resistance Updates 2001-08, Vol.4 (4), p.225-232
Main Authors: Ferguson, Michelle J., Ahmed, Fareeda Y., Cassidy, Jim
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Antibiotics, Antineoplastic - administration & dosage
Antibiotics, Antineoplastic - chemistry
Antineoplastic Agents - administration & dosage
Antineoplastic Agents - chemistry
Drug Delivery Systems - methods
Fluorouracil - administration & dosage
Fluorouracil - chemistry
Humans
Neoplasms - drug therapy
Paclitaxel - administration & dosage
Paclitaxel - chemistry
Prodrugs - administration & dosage
Prodrugs - chemistry
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Summary:The administration of anti-cancer agents is currently associated with significant toxicity and lack of tumour specificity. Prodrugs are being designed to favourably alter the therapeutic index of these agents by improving their efficacy and reducing toxicity. Progress in the development of prodrugs including the cytotoxic agents most commonly used in cancer treatments namely 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), the anthracyclines, paclitaxel and platinum will be described. Many of these agents are at an early stage of development: however, this article will also describe those which have already made an impact in the clinic. It is likely that future improvements in care will come from refinement of the drugs already well established in clinical practice. In addition, this technology could be applied to novel agents with alternative cellular targets such as those involved in angiogenesis or in conferring metastatic potential. Thus, lessons learned with standard drugs may be applicable across a wider spectrum of therapeutics.
ISSN:1368-7646
1532-2084
DOI:10.1054/drup.2001.0207