Antitumor Antibiotics—Thoughts for the Future

Abstract

The antitumor antibiotics are among the most important drugs available in the armenertarium of the medical oncologist. They stand in the forefront of compounds active against the solid tumors accounting for the majority of cancer deaths. They are, because of this, prime candidates for use in the combined modality protocols which are the major strategic approaches to these tumors. In this approach they are used in conjunction with surgery and radiation therapy to attack residual disease which may remain after these local modalities have eradicated the great bulk of tumor. In addition, the antibiotics will be used in combination with other drugs in order to achieve optimal cell kill with resultant palliation in advanced disease and, if successful, these combinations will also be integrated into combined modality protocols.