ABSTRACT
HISTORY Although medical oncology is a relatively “young” specialty, the basis for the pharmacological treatment of cancer with either hormones or cytotoxic agents extends back into the first half of this century.1,2 Considerable experimentation was carried out with alkylating agents during both World Wars. The cytotoxic and myelosupressive properties of the mustard gases were first recognized in 1919, but clinical use was not made of this observation until 1942. At that time, treatment with alkylating agents was attempted in patients with Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas; however, because of secrecy surrounding chemical warfare programs, the results were not reported until 1946.3 A good deal of excitement was produced by the dramatic regressions that were observed, followed by disappointment, as tumors inevitably recurred.
