Classification of anticancer drugs: an update with FDA- and EMA-approved drugs

Abstract

Anticancer systemic therapy comprises a complex and growing group of drugs. Some of the new agents with novel mechanisms of action that have appeared are difficult to fit in the groups of classical chemotherapy, hormones, tyrosine-kinase inhibitors, and monoclonal antibodies. We propose a classification based on two levels of information: the site of action and the mechanism of action. Regarding the former, drugs can exert their action in the tumor cell, the tumor vasculature, the immune system, or the endocrine system. The mechanism of action refers to the molecular target.

Keywords: Antineoplastic agents; Chemotherapy; Classification; Immunotherapy; Monoclonal antibodies; Tyrosine-kinase inhibitors.