title: Recent advances in cancer therapy.
abstract: The treatment of cancer has developed substantially from its conception in the first years of the 20th century. Since the introduction of alkylating agents during second World War, the oncology specialty has markedly grown. In the recent years, new drugs have been approved for the treatment of cancer. Such examples include the taxanes (Docetaxel and Paclitaxel), Vinorelbine, Irinotecan, Topotecan, Gemcitabine and Gliadel. We will discuss these new chemotherapuetic agents, their pharmacology, indications, toxicity and appropriate dosing. There is no doubt that further clinical research is needed to determine the optimal use of these agents.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Department, Universidad Central del Caribe, Bayamón, Puerto Rico 00960-6032.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mercado
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Baez
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Caceres
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002330:Carmustine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004343:Drug Implants; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019772:Topotecan / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077235:Vinorelbine; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004343:Drug Implants; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D014747:Vinblastine; D019772:Topotecan; D017239:Paclitaxel; D000077235:Vinorelbine; D002330:Carmustine; D000093542:Gemcitabine