Table 1.

Formulations for cancer therapy authorized between 1986 and 1999 grouped by the type of therapy. IM: intramuscular; SC: subcutaneous; IV: intravenous; IC: intracranial; ITh: intrathecal; IA: intra-arterial. *: drug release extends over 3 weeks, but the implant is intended for a single administration during surgery.

Type of Therapy	Formulation Type	Mechanism of Action	Drug Substance	Trade Name	Administration Route	Dosing Frequency	Indications	First Approval	Current Status
Peptide-based therapy	Microspheres	Inhibition of gonadotropin secretion	Triptorelin acetate	Decapeptyl	IM	1–6 months	Prostate cancer	1986	Active
	Microspheres	Inhibition of gonadotropin secretion	Leuprolide acetate	Lupron Depot	IM	1–6 months	Prostate cancer	1989	Active
	Solid implant	Inhibition of gonadotropin secretion	Goserelin acetate	Zoladex	SC	1–3 months	Prostate and breast cancer	1989	Active
	Polymer conjugate	l-asparagine depletion	Pegaspargase	Oncaspar	IV, IM	2 weeks	Lymphoblastic leukemia	1994	Active
	Solid implant	Inhibition of gonadotropin secretion	Buserelin acetate	Suprefact Depot	SC	2–3 months	Prostate cancer	1996	Active
	Microspheres	Inhibition of secretion of peptides from the endocrine gastrointestinal system	Octreotide acetate	Sandostatin LAR	IM	1 month	Neuroendocrine tumors	1998	Active
Chemotherapy	Liposomes	Topoisomerase-II inhibition, DNA intercalation	Doxorubicin	Doxil	IV	3–4 weeks	AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma, ovarian, and breast neoplasms, multiple myeloma	1995	Active
	Liposomes	Topoisomerase-II inhibition, DNA intercalation	Daunorubicin	Daunoxome	IV	2 weeks	AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma	1996	Discontinued
	Solid implant	DNA alkylation	Carmustine	Gliadel	IC	3 weeks *	Malignant glioma	1996	Active
	Liposomes	DNA polymerase inhibition	Cytarabine	DepoCyt	ITh	4 weeks	Lymphomatous meningitis	1999	Discontinued
Radiotherapy	Microspheres	Beta particle emission	Yttrium-90	Theraspheres	IA	-	Hepatocellular carcinoma	1999	Active