Biomaterial Database

New developments in cancer treatment with the novel thymidylate synthase inhibitor raltitrexed ('Tomudex'). 1998

G Blackledge

The Clinical Research Group (Oncology), Zeneca Pharmaceuticals, Macclesfield, Cheshire, UK.

Following the demonstration of efficacy, tolerability and quality-of-life benefits of raltitrexed ('Tomudex'), principally in advanced colorectal but also in other cancers, an extensive evaluation of combination therapy with other agents in patients with colorectal and other tumour types is being undertaken. This work has been prompted by preclinical observations of enhanced activity of raltitrexed when coadministered with other cytotoxic agents or radiotherapy and by preliminary results showing the activity of raltitrexed in patients with cancers other than colorectal. Raltitrexed is currently being investigated as monotherapy in phase I and II cancer studies, including head and neck cancer, hormone-resistant prostate cancer, paediatric and adult leukaemias and solid tumours, and soft tissue sarcoma. In addition, phase I clinical trials are evaluating the drug in combination with taxanes (paclitaxel) in solid tumours, anthracyclines (doxorubicin) in gastric carcinoma, topoisomerase I inhibitors (CPT-11) and 5-fluorouracil (both infusion and bolus regimens) in advanced colorectal cancer, platinum compounds (oxaliplatin and cisplatin) in a variety of tumours and radiotherapy in rectal cancer. Preliminary reports indicate good tolerability and acceptability of the combinations being investigated, with no dose-limiting toxicity being reported to date, and some early indications of efficacy.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D011799	Quinazolines	A group of aromatic heterocyclic compounds that contain a bicyclic structure with two fused six-membered aromatic rings, a benzene ring and a pyrimidine ring.	Quinazoline
D003131	Combined Modality Therapy	The treatment of a disease or condition by several different means simultaneously or sequentially. Chemoimmunotherapy, RADIOIMMUNOTHERAPY, chemoradiotherapy, cryochemotherapy, and SALVAGE THERAPY are seen most frequently, but their combinations with each other and surgery are also used.	Multimodal Treatment,Therapy, Combined Modality,Combined Modality Therapies,Modality Therapies, Combined,Modality Therapy, Combined,Multimodal Treatments,Therapies, Combined Modality,Treatment, Multimodal,Treatments, Multimodal
D004791	Enzyme Inhibitors	Compounds or agents that combine with an enzyme in such a manner as to prevent the normal substrate-enzyme combination and the catalytic reaction.	Enzyme Inhibitor,Inhibitor, Enzyme,Inhibitors, Enzyme
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000971	Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols	The use of two or more chemicals simultaneously or sequentially in the drug therapy of neoplasms. The drugs need not be in the same dosage form.	Anticancer Drug Combinations,Antineoplastic Agents, Combined,Antineoplastic Chemotherapy Protocols,Antineoplastic Drug Combinations,Cancer Chemotherapy Protocols,Chemotherapy Protocols, Antineoplastic,Drug Combinations, Antineoplastic,Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Regimens,Combined Antineoplastic Agents,Agent, Combined Antineoplastic,Agents, Combined Antineoplastic,Anticancer Drug Combination,Antineoplastic Agent, Combined,Antineoplastic Chemotherapy Protocol,Antineoplastic Drug Combination,Cancer Chemotherapy Protocol,Chemotherapy Protocol, Antineoplastic,Chemotherapy Protocol, Cancer,Chemotherapy Protocols, Cancer,Combinations, Antineoplastic Drug,Combined Antineoplastic Agent,Drug Combination, Anticancer,Drug Combination, Antineoplastic,Drug Combinations, Anticancer,Protocol, Antineoplastic Chemotherapy,Protocol, Cancer Chemotherapy,Protocols, Antineoplastic Chemotherapy,Protocols, Cancer Chemotherapy
D013876	Thiophenes	A monocyclic heteroarene furan in which the oxygen atom is replaced by a sulfur.	Thiophene
D013940	Thymidylate Synthase	An enzyme of the transferase class that catalyzes the reaction 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate and dUMP to dihydrofolate and dTMP in the synthesis of thymidine triphosphate. (From Dorland, 27th ed) EC 2.1.1.45.	Thymidylate Synthetase,Synthase, Thymidylate,Synthetase, Thymidylate
D015179	Colorectal Neoplasms	Tumors or cancer of the COLON or the RECTUM or both. Risk factors for colorectal cancer include chronic ULCERATIVE COLITIS; FAMILIAL POLYPOSIS COLI; exposure to ASBESTOS; and irradiation of the CERVIX UTERI.	Colorectal Cancer,Colorectal Carcinoma,Colorectal Tumors,Neoplasms, Colorectal,Cancer, Colorectal,Cancers, Colorectal,Carcinoma, Colorectal,Carcinomas, Colorectal,Colorectal Cancers,Colorectal Carcinomas,Colorectal Neoplasm,Colorectal Tumor,Neoplasm, Colorectal,Tumor, Colorectal,Tumors, Colorectal
D017321	Clinical Trials, Phase I as Topic	Works about studies performed to evaluate the safety of diagnostic, therapeutic, or prophylactic drugs, devices, or techniques in healthy subjects and to determine the safe dosage range (if appropriate). These tests also are used to determine pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic properties (toxicity, metabolism, absorption, elimination, and preferred route of administration). They involve a small number of persons and usually last about 1 year. This concept includes phase I studies conducted both in the U.S. and in other countries.	Clinical Trials, Phase I,Drug Evaluation, FDA Phase I,Evaluation Studies, FDA Phase I,Human Microdosing Trial,Phase 1 Clinical Trial,Phase I Clinical Trial,Phase I Clinical Trials,Clinical Trials, Phase 1,Drug Evaluation, FDA Phase 1,Drug Evaluation, FDA Phase I as Topic,Evaluation Studies, FDA Phase 1,Human Microdosing Trials,Microdosing Trials, Human,Phase 1 Clinical Trials,Microdosing Trial, Human,Trial, Human Microdosing,Trials, Human Microdosing