Introduction/Overview Doxorubicin, a potent anthracycline antibiotic derived from Streptomyces peucetius var. caesius, represents a cornerstone of modern cytotoxic chemotherapy. Since its introduction into clinical practice in the 1960s, it has maintained a critical role in the treatment of a broad spectrum of malignancies. Its clinical importance is underscored by its inclusion in first-line regimens for … Read more
Introduction/Overview Vincristine, a naturally occurring alkaloid derived from the Madagascar periwinkle plant Catharanthus roseus, represents a cornerstone chemotherapeutic agent with a clinical history spanning over six decades. Its discovery and subsequent development marked a significant advancement in cancer chemotherapy, providing a potent tool against a spectrum of hematological malignancies and solid tumors. The drug’s enduring … Read more
1. Introduction/Overview Cisplatin, or cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II), represents a cornerstone of modern chemotherapy and a seminal discovery in oncology. Its serendipitous discovery in the 1960s, arising from observations of inhibited bacterial cell division in the presence of platinum electrodes, ushered in the era of metal-based antineoplastic agents. As a member of the platinum coordination complex family, cisplatin … Read more
Introduction/Overview Cyclophosphamide represents a cornerstone agent in the therapeutic armamentarium for a diverse array of malignant and autoimmune conditions. As a nitrogen mustard alkylating agent and prodrug, its clinical utility spans several decades, underpinned by a complex pharmacology that confers both potent therapeutic effects and significant toxicological challenges. The drug’s unique status as a prodrug … Read more
Introduction/Overview Albendazole represents a cornerstone agent within the benzimidazole class of broad-spectrum anthelmintic drugs. Since its introduction, it has become a critical component in the management of tissue-dwelling helminth infections, particularly those caused by cestodes and certain nematodes. Its clinical importance is underscored by its inclusion on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines, … Read more
Introduction/Overview Metronidazole represents a cornerstone antimicrobial agent within the nitroimidazole class, distinguished by its potent activity against anaerobic bacteria and protozoa. First introduced into clinical practice in the 1960s, its discovery marked a significant advancement in the treatment of infections caused by obligate anaerobic organisms. The drug’s unique mechanism, which exploits the anaerobic metabolic pathways … Read more
1. Introduction/Overview The discovery of artemisinin, a sesquiterpene lactone endoperoxide isolated from the plant Artemisia annua (sweet wormwood), represents one of the most significant advances in antimalarial chemotherapy in the latter half of the 20th century. Its identification and development were driven by the urgent need for novel agents against Plasmodium falciparum strains that had … Read more
Introduction/Overview Chloroquine, a 4-aminoquinoline compound, represents a cornerstone agent in the chemotherapeutic arsenal against malaria. First synthesized in 1934 and introduced into clinical practice in the 1940s, its efficacy, low cost, and generally favorable safety profile led to its widespread use for decades. While the emergence and global spread of Plasmodium falciparum resistance have significantly … Read more
Introduction/Overview Zidovudine, also known as azidothymidine (AZT), represents a cornerstone in the historical and contemporary management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. As the first antiretroviral agent approved for clinical use by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 1987, its introduction marked a pivotal transition in the therapeutic approach to HIV/AIDS from purely … Read more
Introduction/Overview Acyclovir, a synthetic purine nucleoside analogue, represents a cornerstone in the chemotherapeutic management of infections caused by herpesviruses. Its development in the late 1970s marked a pivotal advancement in antiviral therapy, providing the first agent with selective toxicity against viral replication while sparing host cells. The clinical introduction of acyclovir fundamentally altered the management … Read more