Abstract
Background: Conventional therapy for osteosarcoma has reached a plateau of 60 70%, a 5-year survival rate that has changed little in two decades, highlighting the need for new approaches. Objective: To review the alternative means of delivering effective therapy for osteosarcoma that reach beyond the central venous catheter. Methods: Drawing on the author's own experiences providing care to high-risk osteosarcoma patients and reviewing the last two decades of literature describing sarcoma therapy, available information is summarized about potential osteosarcoma treatments that deliver therapy by a less conventional route. Results/conclusions: Intra-arterial chemotherapy has a limited impact on survival, but may help to achieve a better limb salvage. Intrapleural chemotherapy is important for managing malignant effusions. The development of inhalation therapies, treatments that target new bone formation such as bisphosphonates, chemically targeted radiation and antibody-based therapies all have potential to improve osteosarcoma therapy.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1311-1321 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery |
Volume | 6 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2009 |
Keywords
- Bisphosphonates
- Inhalation chemotherapy
- Intrapleural chemotherapy
- Osteosarcoma
- Samarium
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pharmaceutical Science