Camptothecins in Cancer Therapy

The text provides an up to the minute summary of what is known today about the biochemistry and pharmacology of the camptothecins. The chapter that covers this subject includes a discussion of the mechanism of action of topoisomerase I, and a review of the means by which camptothecins poison this enzyme. The use of animal models in defining the anticancer potential of camptothecins and a discussion of camptothecin resistance is included. Part two of the text is devoted to a review of new analogue development as well as drug delivery issues that are aimed at optimizing the anticancer activities of camptothecins. In the last section of the book the clinical perspective is presented. The authors have included current summaries on each of the members of the camptothecin families that have been studied in the clinic. Along with these reviews discussions of the potential use of camptothecins in a variety of different cancers has been included.