Tumortherapien im Umbruch. Zielen lernen!

Modern antitumor therapies involve active agents that specifically target degenerated tissues and interact with molecular processes, while leaving healthy cells untouched. Through the analysis of selected examples, this article describes the mode of operation for these prevailing strategies. Photodynamic therapies could become more effective with the application of synergetic photosensitizers. Tumor‐specific antibodies distinguish between the targeted tumor cells and healthy cells and therefore allow the directed administration of agents or drug activating enzymes. Through signal transduction therapy various targeted interventions in cellular sequences can hamper the uncontrolled growth of malignant cells. Processes which prevent the neovascularization (angiogenesis) are expected to have the same effect. Finally strategies to avoid drug resistances are discussed and the concept of antisense therapy is presented.