Metronomic therapy in haematooncology: hopes and facts

Abstract

In this article we have reviewed present publications concerning metronomic therapy. In contrast to standard chemotherapy, metronomic chemotherapy is characterized by the administration of cytotoxic agents at a much lower dose given at regular, but more frequent time intervals. This mode of administration may have different mechanisms of action but first of all it is thought to inhibit tumour angiogenesis. In this article, main mechanisms of action of metronomic therapy, indications to this therapy in solid tumours and haematological malignancies are described.