The Antiangiogenic Effect Of Metronomic Chemotherapy On Tumor-bearing Murine Model

Background and ObjectivesOne of the greatest advances in cancer treatment during last half of the 20th century was the development and utilisation of chemotherapeutic drugs. These compounds have demonstrated antitumour efficacy through their damaging action against cellular DNA, which prevents proliferation and, frequently, drives the cell to its death. Since such an effect is only exerted on a fraction of tumour cells, the dosage of drugs are often used near to the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) so as to achieve better clinical results. However, the application of the highest drug doses tolerated by the patient brings about the problem of drug toxicity. Thus, it is mandatory to establish rest periods to allow human body to recover from the side effects. But at the same time, tumor cells and its supporting stromal cells regrow. Therefore, mostly MTD chemotherapy impaires the qualiy of life of cancer patients, and its efficacy is not satisfactory.In order to avoid the problems caused by traditional chemotherapeutic treatments, several researchers began to search for new modalities of drug administration oriented towards a more efficient and non-toxic antitumoral and/or antimetastatic therapy. Angiogenesis is necessary to sustain the growth of both the...