Chemotherapy definition

Systemic cancer therapy includes chemotherapy (ie, conventional or cytotoxic chemotherapy), hormone therapy, targeted therapy, and immune therapy (see also Overview of Cancer Therapy Curing cancer requires eliminating all cells capable of causing cancer recurrence in a person's lifetime. The major modalities of therapy are Surgery (for local and local-regional disease) Radiation... read more ). The number of approved cancer therapies is increasing rapidly. The For chemotherapy drugs, one of the best characterized resistance mechanisms is overexpression of MDR1, a cell membrane transporter that causes efflux of certain drugs (eg, vinca alkaloids, taxanes, anthracyclines). Attempts to alter MDR1 function and prevent drug resistance have been unsuccessful. Chemotherapy Cytotoxic drugs damage DNA and kill many normal cells as well as cancer cells. Antimetabolites such as fluorouracil and methotrexate are cell cycle–specific and have a nonlinear dose-response relationship. In contrast, other drugs (eg, DNA cross-linkers, also known as alkylating agents) have a linear dose-response relationship, killing more cancer cells at higher doses. At high doses, DNA cross-linkers damage the bone marrow. Single drugs may cure selected cancers (eg, choriocarcinoma, hairy cell leukemia). More commonly, multidrug regimens incorporating drugs with different mechanisms of action and different toxicities are used to increase efficacy, reduce dose-related toxicity, and decrease the probability of...

Induction chemotherapy is the initial phase of cancer treatment that aims to destroy as many cancer cells as possible. A person may receive induction chemotherapy before maintenance chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery. Induction chemotherapy is an intensive cancer treatment that can improve survival rates for certain types of cancer. However, the treatment has links to certain risks and side effects and may not be suitable for everyone. This article explores induction chemotherapy in more detail and lists the different types of cancer it can help treat. We also describe the potential benefits and risks of induction chemotherapy. Share on Pinterest jes2ufoto/Getty Images Induction therapy refers to the first-line treatment for a particular disease. The Induction chemotherapy is the initial chemotherapy a person receives before undergoing additional cancer treatment, such as maintenance chemotherapy, The length and intensity of induction therapy may vary, depending on several factors, including: • the cancer type and severity • the person’s age • the person’s overall health Induction treatment may be an appropriate treatment option for people who have cancer with a high risk of spreading. Below are some potential benefits of induction chemotherapy according to cancer type. Acute myeloid leukemia Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive form of leukemia that affects white blood cells. The The goal of induction therapy in AML is to destroy as many leukemia cells a...