Optimizing drug regimens in cancer chemotherapy.

In cancer chemotherapy, it is important to design treatment strategies that ensure a desired rate of tumor cell kill without unacceptable toxicity. To optimize treatment, we used a mathematical model describing the pharmacokinetics of anticancer drugs, antitumor efficacy, and drug toxicity. This model was associated with constraints on the allowed drug concentrations and amounts, neutropenia, thrombopenia and their recovery levels before the next cycle of chemotherapy. Given a schedule of drug administrations, the mathematical model optimized the drug doses that can minimize the tumor burden while limiting hemotoxicity. Key-Words: Dosage adjustment, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, Hemotoxicity