title: Drug interactions in cancer therapy.
abstract: Drug interactions in oncology are of particular importance owing to the narrow therapeutic index and the inherent toxicity of anticancer agents. Interactions with other medications can cause small changes in the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of a chemotherapy agent that could significantly alter its efficacy or toxicity. Improvements in in vitro methods and early clinical testing have made the prediction of potentially clinically significant drug interactions possible. We outline the types of drug interaction that occur in oncology, the mechanisms that underlie these interactions and describe select examples.
authors.affiliation: Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, 9000 Rockville Pike, Building 10, Room 5A01, MSC1910, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Charity D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Scripture
authors.forename: William D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Figg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents