title: Metronomic therapy for breast cancer.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology/Oncology, Taussig Cancer Center, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, R35, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
authors.forename: Hanspreet
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kaur
authors.forename: G Thomas
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Budd
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020714:Maximum Tolerated Dose; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy; D016387:Women's Health
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents