Cytostatic cancer therapies are defined as those which retard cancer growth by intervening selectively in the disordered control mechanisms responsible for malignant behavior, without producing direct cytotoxicity.

A number of possible approaches to cytostatic therapy are now under investigation and are briefly reviewed here - cyclic AMP congeners and promoters, prostaglandin precursors, thioproline, benzaldehyde, retinoids, interferon, chalones, antineoplastons, protease inhibitors, polar solvents.

Suggestions for the further development of cytostatic therapies are offered, and a role for cytostatic therapy within a broad global concept of cancer therapy is proposed.

McCarty, M.F. Med Hypotheses 1982 Jun;8(6):589-612.