Membrane transport of antineoplastic drugs and its relevance to tumour chemotherapy
Kolassa, N.
Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift 92(20): 707-715
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0043-5325 PMID: 7467345 Document Number: 164537
The permeation of cell membranes by several antineoplastic drugs (AD) exhibits characteristics of carrier-mediated transport processes (facilitated diffusion or active transport); the main representatives among these AD are mechlorethamine, cyclophosphamide, melphalan, methotrexate, 6-mercaptopurine, 5-fluorouracil, cytarabine, 5-fluorodeoxyuridine, vincristine, vinblastine, adriamycin, daunorubicin and dactinomycin. Inhibition or stimulation of the membrane transport of AD influences absorption, distribution, elimination, therapeutic effectiveness and toxicity. The choice of certain combination therapies may increase the selectivity of AD by influencing membrane transport. A change in the properties of transport systems is one possible reason for the resistance of tumour cells to various AD.