Pharmacokinetic Optimisation of Treatment with Oral Etoposide

Etoposide is a derivative of podophyllotoxin widely used in the treatment of several neoplasms, including small cell lung cancer, germ cell tumours and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas. Prolonged administration of etoposide aims for continuous inhibition of topoisomerase II, the intracellular target of etoposide, thus preventing tumour cells from repairing DNA breaks. However, the clinical advantages of extended schedules as compared with conventional short-term infusions remain unclear.