Anti-cancer drugs
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The palliative goal of the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer is to prolong survival and decrease cancer-related complications. Androgen ablation therapy is widely accepted as the initial treatment of choice; when the disease becomes resistant to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), docetaxel-based chemotherapy aids in prolonging overall survival and controlling disease-related symptoms. Until a few years ago, no drug had showed efficacy in docetaxel-resistant patients. ⋯ Abiraterone inhibits the enzymatic activity of steroid 17α-monooxygenase, a member of the cytochrome P450 family that catalyzes the 17α-hydroxylation of steroid intermediates involved in testosterone synthesis from the adrenal glands. This review focuses on abiraterone acetate, the first compound that, through the inhibition of adrenal gland production of testosterone, increases the overall survival in CRPC patients. The role of possible predictive biomarkers and future perspectives are also discussed.
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This study was designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose and toxicity profile of belotecan in combination with oral etoposide in patients with platinum-resistant or heavily treated ovarian cancer, fallopian tubal cancer, and primary peritoneal cancer. Belotecan (0.5 mg/m/day) was administered daily (days 1-5) followed by etoposide (50, 75 mg/day) for up to 5 days (days 6-10) every 3 weeks. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) were defined as follows: grade 4 neutropenia less than 1 week; either neutropenic fever less than 24 h or sepsis; grade 4 thrombocytopenia; and grade of at least 3 nonhematologic toxicity except alopecia. ⋯ Thus, the maximum tolerated dose was reached (50 mg of oral etoposide) and the trial was terminated. The response was evaluable in nine patients and an objective response was observed in four patients (44%) including two complete responses. The combined regimen of belotecan followed by oral etoposide showed promising activity in platinum-resistant or heavily pretreated ovarian cancer patients at the dose level of 50 mg of oral etoposide.