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Role of Thymidine in Biochemical Modulation: A Review

Investigational Drug Branch, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, Division of Cancer Treatment, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892 [P. O., S. A. K., D. F. H., B. L-J.], and The Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111 [P. O.]

The role of thymidine in the treatment of cancer has been under clinical investigation for nearly a decade. Clinical trials have demonstrated that it lacks antitumor activity in its own right. In this review, the mechanism of action and rationale for the use of thymidine as a biochemical modulator of standard agents such as 5-fluorouracil, 1-ß-D-arabinofuranosyl-cytosine, and methotrexate are summarized. With this background, the clinical trials which have been conducted with thymidine, either alone or in combination, are described. We suggest a number of further studies of the role of thymidine in the biochemical modulation of antimetabolites.

¹ To whom requests for reprints should be addressed, at Department of Medical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Central and Shelmire Avenues, Philadelphia, PA 19111.

Received 4/ 3/86. Revised 2/26/87. Accepted 4/16/87.

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