From: "Dr. D. Kossove" <doctordee@telkomsa.net>
Subject: Metronomic Therapy 
Date: Friday, December 19, 2003 10:38 AM

Report
Metronomic Therapy for Breast Cancer
Hanspreet Kaur MD and GThomas Budd MD
Department of HematologyOncology Taussig Cancer Center, R35 9500 Euclid Avenue, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA

Current Oncology Reports 2004, 6:49-52 (published 1 January 2004)

Abstract 

Conventional cytotoxic chemotherapeutic drugs treat cancer either by direct killing or by inhibition of growth of cycling tumor cells. In addition, evidence suggests that cytotoxic agents may inhibit tumor growth through an antiangiogenic mechanism. 'Metronomic' or frequent continuous administration of the same chemotherapeutic agents at lower doses may optimize their antiangiogenic properties. The effectiveness of metronomic chemotherapy regimens can be improved significantly by concurrent administration of antiangiogenic, endothelial-specific drugs. Preclinical studies have shown that integrating chemotherapy with antiangiogenic drugs can improve efficacy and circumvent the toxicity and drug resistance associated with standard or high-dose chemotherapy. Preliminary clinical studies have shown similar results. Further confirmation of this concept is required with randomized, controlled clinical trials.

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