An Introduction to the Use of Anticancer Drugs

This title is directed primarily towards health care professionals outside of the United States. The aim of this book is to provide an introduction to the principles of drug treatment for solid tumours in cancer medicine. Developments in the understanding of tumour biology, molecular biology and genetics - together with the greater understanding of the pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of drugs - have combined to open up the field of medical oncology to rapid advances in the treatment of cancers. The range of drugs that are available is wide and one of the primary aims in drug development is to increase the therapeutic window so that drug toxicity is minimised and tolerable. Drug development of oral formulations of anticancer drugs and the use of drugs that could be given in the day patient setting means that healthcare professionals such as general practitioners - who historically might not have been involved in the drug treatment of the cancer patient - are now going to need to have a greater understanding of the principles of use of anticancer drugs. This book is primarily aimed at this market.

• Basic principles of drug treatment - develops an understanding of why and when anticancer drugs are used.
• Covers the purpose of clinical trials in oncology from Phase I to Phase IV trials in drug development.
• Discusses the organisation of clinical networks in the UK.
• Case studies in cancer treatment, allowing an understanding of when and why the typical regimes are used.
• NICE guidelines.