What is the therapeutic index of chemotherapy generally considered to be?

The therapeutic index of chemotherapy is generally considered to be low. This means that the range between the effective dose of a chemotherapy drug and the dose that causes adverse effects is narrow. This is critical because it indicates that while the drug may be effective at killing cancer cells, it also poses a significant risk of toxicity to normal, healthy cells.

In oncology, chemotherapy often targets rapidly dividing cells, which is a characteristic of cancer cells. However, it can also affect normal cells that divide quickly, such as those in the bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract, and hair follicles. Because of the low therapeutic index, there is a careful balancing act in determining dosing regimens to maximize efficacy while minimizing harmful side effects. This characteristic signifies a heightened need for careful monitoring and adjustment of treatment to ensure patient safety during cancer therapy.