Experience and prospects for the use of off-label drugs in oncology

Abstract

Summary. According to the World Health Organization, half of all drugs available on the global pharmaceutical market are sometimes used for indications that are not included in the instruction for use. This method of therapy has the term “off-label use” which means the use “out of instruction”. Today, off-label drugs are also prescribed for cancer treatment. For example, a drug developed to treat one type of tumor can sometimes be used to treat other types of cancer. The treatment of certain types of pain with tricyclic antidepressants is also an example of the off-label drugs used in oncology. An example of an off-label prescription is anxiolytic medicine lorazepam, which can be used off-label as an antiemetic in cancer patients. Low doses of naltrexone are applied to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases. A retrospective analysis of modern oncotherapy indicates that oncologists often use off-label drugs in combination therapy, especially in the treatment of patients with concomitant diseases, in case of progressive development of the tumor, or to reduce the toxicity and cost of treatment components. American oncologists are of the opinion that if all the drugs prescribed by the International Recommendations failed in the treatment of cancer, doctors can prescribe off-label medications, but only if their effectiveness and safety are clearly established. The problem of the off-label use of drugs in oncology has not yet been studied in detail, however, this direction has certain promising prospects.