Advances in Cancer Therapy

Introduction

  • Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body.
  • Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally.
  • Lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach and liver cancer are the most common types of cancer in men,
    while breast, colorectal, lung, cervical and thyroid cancer are the most common among women.
  • Advanced cancer therapies such as stem cell therapy, targeted drug therapy, and gene therapy offer a more precise approach by targeting specific cancer cells or genetic mutations. 
  • Unlike conventional therapies like chemotherapy and radiation, which can harm healthy cells along with cancerous ones, these advanced treatments aim to minimize collateral damage. 
  • Additionally, these therapies can potentially overcome resistance that cancer cells develop against traditional treatments, leading to better outcomes for patients. 
  • Overall, their tailored approach holds promise for improving efficacy, reducing side effects, and ultimately enhancing survival rates in many cases.

Advanced Therapies




Applications

Stem Cell Therapy
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation 
  Hematopoietic stem cells from bone marrow are used to replace diseased or damaged bone marrow in patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation for certain types of cancer, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
  • Targeted Delivery of Therapeutics 
Stem cells can be engineered to carry anti-cancer agents directly to tumors, enhancing the precision and effectiveness of treatment while minimizing damage to healthy tissues.
  • Immune Modulation
Stem cells can be manipulated to modulate the immune system's response to cancer, potentially enhancing the body's ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells.
  • Tissue Regeneration
Stem cells have the potential to repair damaged tissues caused by cancer or its treatment, improving quality of life for patients.

Targeted Drug Therapy


Gene Therapy
  • Replacing Tumor Suppressor Genes 
Healthy cells have genes that suppress tumor growth. Gene therapy can replace mutated or inactive tumor suppressor genes with functional copies, essentially fixing the brakes on runaway cell division in cancer cells.
  • Introducing Suicide Genes 
Scientists can introduce genes that encode enzymes that convert harmless prodrugs into toxic cell killers specifically within cancer cells. This selectively targets cancer cells while minimizing harm to healthy tissues.
  • Engineering Immune Cells (CAR T-Cell Therapy) 
CAR T-cell therapy is a highly promising form of gene therapy that involves extracting immune T cells from a patient, genetically modifying them to recognize and attack cancer cells, and then reintroducing them into the patient's bloodstream. These modified T cells become potent weapons against cancer.
  • Enhancing Immune Response 
Gene therapy can be used to enhance the immune system's ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells. This can involve introducing genes that stimulate immune cell activity or visibility of cancer cells to the immune system.

Benefits & Future Scope

Stem Cell Therapy

Benefits
  • Self-renewal and differentiation
  • Tumor-targeting
  • Immunomodulation

Future Scope
  • Improved treatment efficacy
  • Combating chemo resistance
  • Personalized medicine


Targeted Drug Therapy

Benefits
  • Increased Precision
  • Improved Effectiveness
  • Reduced Resistance
Future Scope
  • Personalized Medicine
  • Combination Therapies
  • Novel Drug Development
  • Nanoparticle Technology

Gene Therapy

Benefits
  • Targeted Treatment
  • Immune System Boost
  • Durability

Future Scope
  • Personalized Medicine
  • Combination Therapies
  • New Delivery Methods
  • Universal Cancer Vaccines

Summary



  • Current methods in oncology focus on the development of safe and efficient cancer medicines.
  • Stem cell therapy utilizes stem cells to replace or repair damaged tissues, offering potential in regenerating healthy cells in cancer treatment. 
  • Targeted therapy involves drugs or other substances that specifically attack cancer cells while sparing normal cells, minimizing side effects. 
  • Gene therapy aims to treat or prevent disease by altering or replacing faulty genes, presenting a promising avenue for personalized cancer treatment. 


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