Current role of chemotherapy protectors in cancer treatment.
The administration of full doses of chemotherapy according to an established schedule improves the response rate and duration of response in cancer patients. However, frequently there are delays in therapy due to dose-limiting side effects and chemotherapy could affect permanently normal tissues. This has led to the development of chemotherapy protectors and of rescue agents in the past years. We will discuss some of these new agents and their use in cancer treatment. Some of these agents include amifostine (Ethyol), dexrazoxane (Zinecard), mesna (Mesnex), leucovorin, G-CSF, GM CSF, recombinant erythropoietin and thrombopoietin. Oncologists must learn the adequate use of different strategies in reducing chemotherapy toxicity in order to improve both the quality and quantity of life of cancer patients.
Cáceres
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San Juan CCOP, Centro Médico Mail Station # 54, Puerto Rico 00936.
Báez
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Aponte
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Rodríguez
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N
Maldonado
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A
D004999:Amifostine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D016298:Hematopoietic Cell Growth Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015080:Mesna / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011929:Razoxane / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016298:Hematopoietic Cell Growth Factors; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011929:Razoxane; D004999:Amifostine; D015080:Mesna; D002955:Leucovorin