Provided here is a comprehensive examination of the basic
and clinical condition of three innovative and promising
approaches to cancer therapy, which may support or even
substitute chemotherapy: differentiation, immunomodulation,
and inhibition of angiogenesis.
Differentiation shouldnormalize neoplastic cells and make
them compatible with the host. Its feasibility with
retinoids, interferons, chemotherapeutic and other agents is
discussed. Modulation by biological agents, cytotoxic
effector cells and drugs is considered in attempts to
boost endogenous antitumour defenses and/or to render
neoplastic cells more susceptible to the immune attack of
the host. Finally, the important aspect of interfering with
tumour blood vessel development and function is taken
into account.
Consideringthe importance that chemotherapy has in cancer
treatment and in view of a more and more integrated
strategy, the relationship between the aforementioned
approaches and chemotherapeutic agents and chemoresistance
is treated in detail.