Principles of chemotherapy for genitourinary cancer

Abstract

Significant progress has been made in developing systemic treatment, including cytotoxic chemotherapy and targeted therapeutics for patients with cancers of the genitourinary system. Improvement in outcomes has been predicated on improved understanding of the cell cycle and its regulators, the relevance of the cancer genome to growth regulation of cancer, and alterations in chemical structures to produce less toxic or more effective agents. The pharmacology of anticancer agents is intimately associated with efficacy and toxicity. The properties of the various classes of anticancer agents are reviewed, in association with their interactions with a range of growth regulators and inhibitors.