The role of autologous bone marrow transplantation in the treatment of solid tumors

Abstract

Until effective new agents can be developed, increasing dose intensity may be the best way to improve therapy for patients who fail conventional treatment. Alkylating agents, including radiation, are likely candidates for use in dose-intensive combinations. Past phase I clinical trials of single agents have redefined the maximum tolerated doses when marrow transplantation attenuates the myelosuppression. High-dose combinations of more than two agents are only possible with significant dose reductions from single-agent maximum tolerated doses. Multiple courses of therapy might permit the use of more than two agents without dose reduction. A multidrug and/or multicourse approach will probably be needed to effect curative therapy.