最近許多新的靜脈注射使用之化學治療藥物,亦有口服之應用,臨床上的效果不錯。口服藥物包括有altretamine、tegafur (5FU)、capecitabine、topotocan、thalidomide和etoposide等。使用口服藥物之原因爲卵巢癌患者多已接受多次靜脈化學治療,產生許多剎作用和不適,如能口服化療藥物,效果亦不錯,可改進息者之生活品質。
Recently, several new oral analogs of currently existing intravenous chemotherapeutic agents have been undergoing preclinical and early clinical trials. Oral altretamine, tegafur (5FU), capecitabine, topotecan, thalidomide and etoposide are such examples. Part of the impetus for the development of these drugs has been perceived patient demand. Studies have suggested the intravenous lines were a major source of discomfort and stress to patients. The availability of oral agents would make a significant contribution to patients' quality of life. Patient with cure or incurable ovarian cancer have clear preference for oral chemotherapy, and are generally not willing to sacrifice efficacy for their preference.