Optimizing drug regimens in cancer chemotherapy: a simulation study using a PK-PD model.

In cancer chemotherapy, it is important to design treatment strategies for drug protocols that ensure a desired rate of tumor cell kill without overdosing the host. Mathematical modeling was used for optimization in which we minimize the end value of the tumor cells while limiting toxicity by always maintaining the white blood cell count beyond a limit. The optimal solution for this is a mixture of an initial bolus application of drug followed by no drug and then continuous infusion that keeps the normal cell population at its lower limit while decreasing the tumor cell population.