[Cytostatic agents and defense]

Abstract

The defence mechanisms of the human body against harmful influences from the environment are manifold. The aggressions on the integrity of the organism are physical, chemical, or biological in nature. In this paper the interactions of the commonly used cytotoxic drugs with various defence mechanisms are discussed. Impairment of these defence mechanisms by cytotoxic drugs results in a whole variety of clinical pictures, such as delayed wound healing, secondary malignant neoplasms or many different infectious diseases. These cytotoxic drug-induced diseases are summarized under the term IDDSS (Induced or Iatrogenic Defence Deficiency SyndromeS).