What is a commonly used cancer medicine?

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Last updated: February 11, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Guidelines

Cisplatin is a commonly used cancer medicine.

Commonly Used Cancer Medicines

  • Cisplatin is one of the three drug types active in the management of advanced bladder cancer, along with the taxanes and gemcitabine 1.
  • Combinations of these agents, such as GC (gemcitabine and cisplatin) or MVAC (methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin), have shown clinical benefit in the treatment of bladder cancer 1.
  • Cisplatin is also used in the treatment of other types of cancer, including ovarian cancer, and is often used in combination with other drugs such as carboplatin and paclitaxel 1.
  • The use of cisplatin and other cancer medicines should be individualized based on the patient's performance status, extent of disease, and specific prior therapy administered 1.
  • It is essential to consider the potential benefits and risks of cancer-directed therapy, including the possibility of adverse reactions, and to discuss these with patients and their families 1.

From the Research

Commonly Used Cancer Medicines

  • Doxorubicin, also known as Adriamycin, is one of the most widely used chemotherapeutic drugs for treating various types of cancer 2
  • Metformin, an anti-diabetic drug, has been reported to show potential activity against cancerous cells 3, 4
  • Benzodiazepines, such as Diazepam and Midzolam, have been found to have anti-cancerous activity 3
  • Antidepressants, including Imipramine, Clomipramine, and Citalopram, have shown promising anti-cancer activities 3
  • Antiepileptic drugs, such as Valporic acid and Phenytoin, have been reported to have potential anti-cancer effects 3

Drug Repurposing for Cancer Treatment

  • Drug repurposing has the potential to overcome the challenges faced in conventional drug discovery and is becoming an area of interest for researchers and scientists 3
  • Several drugs originally approved for indications other than cancer treatment have been found to have a cytostatic effect on cancer cells and could be repurposed as anti-cancer agents 4

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

Anti-Cancer Potential of Some Commonly Used Drugs.

Current pharmaceutical design, 2021

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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