Anti-Cancer Drugs & Therapies

The development of drugs designed to selectively inhibit and slow tumour growth has entered a dynamic and promising phase, driven by a targeted approach. Over the past decade, researchers have identified specific proteins involved in cancer cell  proliferation, enabling the creation of therapies that directly act on these molecular targets. While drug discovery still relies on a combination of high-throughput screening and rational design, the landscape is evolving. The collaboration between academic institutions and the pharmaceutical industry continues to adapt, shaped by both technical innovations and financial pressures. At the core of these efforts lies a shared commitment to translating cutting-edge scientific discoveries into tangible clinical treatments.

Cancer research is to identify causes and develop strategies for diagnosis, prevention, treatments and cure. Cancer research ranges from epidemiology, molecular bioscience to the performance of clinical trials to evaluate and compare applications of the various cancer treatment. These applications involve in surgery, chemotherapy, Immunotherapy radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and combined treatment modalities such as chemo-radiotherapy. Any cancer treatment can be used as a primary treatment, but the most common major cancer treatment for the most common types of cancer is surgery.

Radiology plays a pivotal role in the management of disease, offering a broad range of tools and techniques for diagnosis, staging, and treatment. Many of these imaging methods are uniquely valuable because they allow physicians to visualize the internal structures of the body in a non-invasive way. Common imaging modalities include X-rays, CT scans, MRI, ultrasound,  mammography, fluoroscopy, nuclear medicine, PET scans, bone densitometry, and more. While clinical imaging focuses on application in practice, imaging technology emphasizes the technical side—the equipment, systems, and innovations that power diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in radiology.

Biomarkers hold vast potential in cancer care, serving critical roles in differential diagnosis, risk assessment, prognosis, screening, predicting treatment response, and monitoring disease progression. Given their importance across all stages of the disease, it is essential that biomarkers undergo thorough evaluation—including clinical utility assessment,  analytical validation—before being integrated into routine clinical practice. Bioinformatics, the computational analysis and interpretation of  biological data, plays a key role in managing the complex datasets generated in modern biology and medicine, enabling more precise and personalized cancer treatment.

Patient-centered cancer care is focused on addressing the unique needs, preferences, and overall experiences of individuals with cancer, as articulated by patients and their families. While many Cancer organizations—particularly cancer centers—have long tracked patient satisfaction and global ratings of care, fewer have systematically measured the broader dimensions of patient experience, which include aspects of  healthcare that patients themselves find most meaningful. The use of information technology (IT) to support and enhance the delivery of patient-centered cancer care delivery is promising, and there is growing evidence of meaningful progress in this area.

Cancer can develop in many different forms, influenced by a range of factors—some genetic and inherited, while others result from environmental exposures or lifestyle choices over time. It is not a single disease, but rather a group of hundreds of diseases, each defined by the specific type of cell from which it originates. Age is one of the most significant risk factors for developing cancer. Other risk factors include modifiable behaviors such as obesity, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and excessive sun exposure, along with non-modifiable risks like family history. Cancer arises when cells acquire the ability to grow uncontrollably and spread, eventually invading and damaging healthy tissues throughout the body.

DNA damage can result from both internal (endogenous) and external (exogenous) sources. Each type of damage requires a specific repair mechanism, highlighting the importance of a diverse and efficient DNA repair system. When these repair processes are compromised, DNA lesions and mutations accumulate, potentially leading to the transformation of normal cells into cancerous ones. A reduced capacity for DNA repair has been associated with an increased risk of cancer, often linked to what are known as "low-penetrance genes." In cancer cells, the genome may exhibit various classes of mutations, many of which occur during the lineage of cells that already show early signs of abnormal or neoplastic transformation.

Cancer vaccines—particularly those targeting breast cancer, melanoma, and colon cancer—have progressed quickly to clinical trials following promising results in preclinical mouse model studies. These vaccines are typically most effective when administered before exposure to the virus. There are two main types of cancer-related vaccines: preventive vaccines and therapeutic vaccines. Preventive vaccines, approved by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are designed to protect against oncoviruses—viruses known to increase cancer risk, such as HPV and hepatitis B. In contrast, therapeutic vaccines are developed to stimulate the immune system to recognize and destroy existing cancer cells.

Cancer immunology is the study of the complex interactions between cancer cells and the immune system. It is a rapidly evolving field focused on understanding immunodiagnostics, identifying cancer-related biomarkers, and developing innovative immunotherapeutic strategies. Cancer immunotherapy harnesses components of the immune system to fight cancer and has become a promising approach in cancer treatment. Some therapies use antibodies that specifically bind to and block the activity of proteins expressed by cancer cells. Other forms of immunotherapy include T cell infusions and cancer vaccines, which aim to stimulate the immune system to recognize and destroy cancerous cells.

Case reports are detailed accounts of individual clinical observations and have a long-standing tradition in medical literature. They serve as valuable resources for sharing rare or unexpected findings that may inspire new research directions and advancements in clinical practice. While traditionally associated with identifying drug side effects or new diseases, the value of case reports extends beyond these roles. They can highlight novel therapeutic strategies, generate new hypotheses, and guide future studies—even though they typically cannot establish causation on their own.

Cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. However, not all tumors are cancerous—benign tumors do not metastasize. A neoplasm refers to an abnormal growth of tissue, which may form a mass or lump commonly referred to as a tumor. Gene mutations that disrupt cellular signaling pathways are frequently observed in cancer and are often shared across tumors arising in different parts of the body. Advances in molecular analysis tools and DNA sequencing technologies are accelerating the identification of somatic mutations that drive cancer development and progression.

Medical Oncology focuses on the comprehensive evaluation and management of patients diagnosed with cancer. This field has evolved significantly with the advent of innovative cancer therapies and a growing recognition of the need for continuous patient care—ranging from diagnosis to end-of-life support. Medical oncology utilizes various treatment modalities, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy, and targeted therapy, to effectively combat cancer. It often works in close collaboration with radiation oncology and surgical oncology to deliver integrated, multidisciplinary care that maximizes clinical outcomes. Clinical oncology, more broadly, encompasses both radiotherapy and systemic therapies as key components of treatment.

Nanotechnology offers exceptional specificity, sensitivity, and the ability to perform multiplexed measurements, making it a promising tool for the detection of extracellular cancer cells, cancer biomarkers, and in vivo imaging. While it has not yet been widely adopted for clinical cancer diagnosis, nanotechnology is already utilized in various diagnostic platforms—for example, gold nanoparticles are used in commercial home pregnancy tests. In cancer diagnostics, nanoparticles are being explored for their ability to capture key cancer biomarkers, including circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), circulating tumor cells (CTCs), exosomes, and cancer-associated proteins.

Cancer epidemiology is the study of the causes, patterns, and frequency of malignant diseases within specific populations. It provides clinicians with essential tools for assessing cancer risk, guides the development of screening strategies for high-risk groups, and evaluates the effectiveness of preventive measures. Risk factors for cancer include genetic predisposition, immunosuppression, and environmental exposures, and may also arise from a previous history of viral infections, treatments, or other malignancies.

Cancer Pharmacology focuses on the study of pharmacological principles as they relate to the treatment of malignant diseases. It encompasses both theoretical and practical aspects of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, with emphasis on novel cancer therapies involving small molecules. The field explores the clinical and molecular pharmacology of major classes of anti-cancer agents, including those used in chemotherapy. It also addresses key mechanisms such as DNA damage response, DNA repair, and drug resistance, all crucial in the development of effective cancer treatments.

Research in cancer pharmacology involves investigating proto-oncogene processing, tyrosine kinase regulation, cell-cycle kinases, small GTPase signaling, and DNA repair proteins as therapeutic targets. These studies aim to either identify new drug candidates or enhance the effectiveness of existing therapies.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, non-coding RNA molecules, typically 20–24 nucleotides in length, that play a crucial role in regulating gene expression across nearly all biological pathways in mammals. Their involvement in cancer has been increasingly recognized through studies in cell cultures and animal models. miRNAs regulate several critical cancer-related processes, including DNA damage response, cell cycle regulation, and apoptosis.

Emerging evidence supports their clinical relevance, with miRNAs being explored and implemented as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, aiding in patient stratification. Moreover, they hold potential as therapeutic agents and targets, paving the way for innovative strategies in personalized cancer treatment.

Regenerative medicine is an interdisciplinary field that combines principles from engineering and life sciences to promote tissue repair and regeneration. It holds immense promise for treating a wide range of conditions—from acute injuries to chronic illnesses—by restoring or replacing tissues and organs damaged by disease, aging, trauma, or congenital anomalies.

This innovative approach encompasses various strategies, including the use of engineered cells, biomaterials, and their combinations to reconstruct or replace damaged tissues. These interventions aim to restore both functional capacity and structural integrity, thereby significantly contributing to the healing and recovery process.

In general, robotic systems consist of three key components: a vision cart, the surgeon’s console, and the surgical cart. Initially, robotic surgery was used for benign conditions such as Lindbergh cholecystectomy and coronary artery surgery. However, it didn’t take long before robotics became widely adopted in surgical oncology. Surgical robots, including systems like ZEUS, AESOP, and da Vinci, provide surgeons with advanced vision capabilities and enhanced hand techniques, revolutionizing surgery across various specialties. Much of the excitement surrounding robotic surgery is linked to the surgical advantages it offers over traditional methods, such as better integration with modern imaging tools, improved stability, greater accuracy, and an expanded range of maneuverability.

Pediatric Oncology is primarily focused on providing supportive care during the treatment of underlying malignancies in children. The exact causes of most childhood cancers remain unknown, but approximately 5% of childhood cancers are linked to inherited genetic mutations that can be passed from parents to their children. Like adult cancers, many pediatric cancers develop due to mutations in genes that regulate cell growth, leading to uncontrolled proliferation and cancer. While in adults, these mutations are often triggered by long-term exposure to cancer-causing substances and the cumulative effects of aging, in children, the causes are typically less understood and may differ.