Pharmacotherapy of cervical cancer.
BACKGROUND
Cervical cancer (CC) remains an important health problem. It is the second most frequent malignancy in women worldwide, with one-third of patients dying from pharmacoresistant disease.


METHODS
We reviewed pharmacotherapy approaches in the medical and multidisciplinary management of CC and conducted a systematic search of Pubmed for clinical trials, reviews and meta-analysis published in the last 20 years. Abstracts of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, European Society of Gynecological Oncology and International Gynecologic Cancer Society were also searched, together with the US National Institutes of Health clinical trial database.


RESULTS
The state-of-the art of cytotoxic and biologically targeted therapies in early, locally advanced and metastatic/recurrent CC is discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
Until recently, the role of pharmacotherapy in CC was restricted to palliation of advanced/metastatic or recurrent disease. During the past two decades, this reluctant attitude towards chemotherapy has been modified after a series of randomized trials demonstrated its beneficial contribution as an adjunct to radiotherapy or surgery in early and locally advanced CC. Moreover, new combinations of cytotoxics, together with novel molecular target agents, open new perspectives in the treatment of primary and recurrent CC.
Legge
Francesco
F
Catholic University of Campobasso, Department of Oncology, Gynecologic Oncology Unit, 86100 Campobasso, Italy.
Fuoco
Gilda
G
Lorusso
Domenica
D
Lucidi
Alessandro
A
Borriello
Maddalena
M
Pisconti
Salvatore
S
Scambia
Giovanni
G
Ferrandina
Gabriella
G
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents