title: 20th-century advances in drug therapy in oncology--Part. II.
abstract: Ongoing research in cancer therapy has led to the development of antineoplastic agents which target specific components of the cell cycle. In Part II of this series, we discuss agents which target the mitotic mechanism by inhibiting microtubules. Although many of these agents are being shown to have multiple effects, the Vinca alkaloids and the taxanes are known as antimitotic drugs. They are among the most important anticancer agents currently available, and because of their unique mechanisms, can be combined with a wide variety of other antineoplastic agents in a spectrum of diseases. In addition, in part II, we are discussing agents that target DNA and prevent replication and thus cell growth by inhibiting the enzymes which protect DNA during replication, the topoisomerases. These drugs, too, have unique mechanisms of action and have become major components of combination regimens. The topoisomerase I inhibitors are new drugs derived from an older parent drug, and their full possibilities are still being explored.
authors.affiliation: Our Lady of Mercy Cancer Center, New York Medical College, Bronx 10466, USA.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Dutcher
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Novik
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: O'Boyle
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marcoullis
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Secco
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Wiernik
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001952:Bridged-Ring Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011034:Podophyllotoxin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D043823:Taxoids; D059004:Topoisomerase I Inhibitors; D014748:Vinca Alkaloids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001952:Bridged-Ring Compounds; D043823:Taxoids; D059004:Topoisomerase I Inhibitors; D014748:Vinca Alkaloids; C080625:taxane; D011034:Podophyllotoxin; D002166:Camptothecin