In cancer chemotherapy, experiments on transplanted animal tumors usually provide the basis for clinical (human) studies. In general, the correlation in drug response between animal and human tumors can be classified as poor. However, in properly selected settings, animal tumors can be used as reliable predicting systems. Drugs which passed the «animal tumor» stage go to clinical trials. An outline of these experiments is given and their crucial importance is emphasized. Skilfully designed clinical experiments are needed if the adequate exploitation of drugs in practical cancer chemotherapy is to be achieved.
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