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. 2001 Aug;85(4):484–489. doi: 10.1054/bjoc.2001.1970

The pharmacologic basis of high dose chemotherapy with haematopoietic stem cell support for solid tumours

L F Porrata 1, A A Adjei 1
PMCID: PMC2364096  PMID: 11506483

Abstract

The theoretical basis of high dose chemotherapy with haematopoietic stem cell support (HDT) for solid tumours is the presumption of a linear, steep dose-response relationship for chemotherapy conditioning agents. We review preclinical pharmacologic studies evaluating steep dose-response relationships for different chemotherapeutic agents, identified through a MED-LINE and CANCER-LIT search of the English medical literature from January 1966 to December 1999. Only BCNU, melphalan, nitrogen mustard, and the combination of thiotepa and cyclophosphamide demonstrated steep dose-response relationships over a wide dose-range. The pharmacologic evidence for the use of other antineoplastic agents for HDT in solid tumours is non-existent. More preclinical studies are needed for a rational development of this therapeutic approach for solid tumours. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.com

Keywords: preclinical pharmacology, high-dose chemotherapy, solid tumours

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Selected References

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