cytostatisk

Cytostatic, or cytostatisk in Swedish, designates substances or therapies that inhibit cell proliferation. In oncology, cytostatic agents are used to slow tumor growth and spread, often by interrupting processes required for cell division rather than causing immediate cell death. The term is sometimes used to distinguish these agents from cytotoxic drugs, though many cytostatic drugs can still kill rapidly dividing cells as a secondary effect.

Mechanisms of action include disruption of DNA synthesis, repair, or function (antimetabolites such as methotrexate and fluoropyrimidines); interference with mitosis (microtubule inhibitors such as vincristine and taxanes); and DNA cross-linking or damage (alkylating agents such as cyclophosphamide). Hormonal therapies and some targeted agents can also be described as cytostatic when they slow cell cycle progression instead of inducing rapid cell death.

Clinical use: In cancer treatment, cytostatic drugs are commonly used in combination regimens to control disease and delay progression. They may be employed as maintenance therapy to keep tumors stable or in palliative settings. In non-neoplastic diseases, cytostatic strategies are used primarily for immunosuppression or autoimmune conditions, at lower, often chronic doses.

Common considerations and adverse effects arise from their action on rapidly dividing cells, including bone marrow suppression, mucositis, nausea, and alopecia. Toxicity profiles, dosing schedules, and resistance influence treatment choices, and cytostatic activity is evaluated alongside cytotoxic outcomes in clinical trials.