Major contributions towards finding a cure for cancer through chemotherapy: a historical review.
The history of cancer chemotherapy is as old as cancer itself. With the increase in the complexities of cancer and the development of resistance towards existing anticancer agents, increased attention is now being paid to the advancement of chemotherapy. Some chemotherapeutic agents were discovered by accident or trial-and-error methods while others were found to be useful for neoplasia when they were being evaluated for some other purpose. Broadly, these agents have been classified as alkylating agents, antimetabolites, platinum compounds, antitumor antibiotics and natural products. Hormones and compounds interfering with hormone metabolism are widely used in cancer treatment, besides monoclonal antibodies and small molecules targeting angiogenesis. In this review an attempt is made to discuss the major breakthroughs that have shaped the course of cancer chemotherapy, helping to decrease the mortality as well as lessen the suffering of patients.
Faculty of Pharmacy and Alternative Medicine, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur - Pakistan.
Imran
I
Masood
Faculty of Pharmacy and Alternative Medicine, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur - Pakistan.
Maria H
MH
Kiani
Faculty of Pharmacy and Alternative Medicine, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur - Pakistan.
Mahmood
M
Ahmad
Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore - Pakistan.
Muhammed I
MI
Masood
Faculty of Pharmacy and Alternative Medicine, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur - Pakistan.
Hadia
H
Sadaquat
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000266:history / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D017277:Drug Approval; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017671:Platinum Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D017671:Platinum Compounds