Science is changing Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy isn't a pleasant experience. In fact, it involves using substances that can be seen as poisonous to treat cancer. These substances interfere with cellular processes in the hope of eliminating cancer cells before they become fatal. While chemotherapy is effective, medical professionals are continuously working on finding alternatives due to its undesirable side effects. Let's delve into why chemotherapy is used, explore emerging treatment options, and understand how cancer treatment is evolving for the better.

Let's start by clarifying that chemotherapy is indeed effective, which is why it's extensively utilised. Essentially, chemotherapy involves employing drugs to combat cancer. Over the period from 2013 to 2020, around one in five cancerous tumors in England – over half a million cases – were treated with various forms of chemotherapy. It's important to note that chemotherapy comes in various types, with hundreds of distinct cancer drugs available. Depending on the patient's condition, they may receive a single drug or a combination. The aim might be complete cancer elimination, enhancing the effectiveness of other treatments like surgery, or merely managing symptoms when a cure isn't feasible.

Chemotherapy achieves remarkable outcomes in certain cancers. Conditions like Hodgkin lymphoma, testicular cancer, and acute lymphocytic leukemia can often be treated with chemotherapy, resulting in the complete disappearance of cancer. A common chemotherapy drug example is doxorubicin, which is sometimes combined with other drugs into a mixture called ABVD. Doxorubicin effectively targets dividing cells, as it obstructs a crucial enzyme called topoisomerase required for DNA untangling during cell division. This targeting ability makes doxorubicin effective against cancer cells, but it can also affect other dividing cells, leading to side effects.

However, despite its effectiveness, chemotherapy is associated with severe side effects, and that's why scientists are looking for improved alternatives. Researchers are focusing on two main areas: targeted therapies and personalized treatments. Currently, most chemotherapy drugs are introduced into the body and spread everywhere, impacting both cancerous and non-cancerous cells. Targeted therapies are designed to specifically target cancer cells, leaving healthy cells unharmed. Some of these therapies involve small-molecule drugs that interfere with a tumor's growth cycle by targeting molecular processes unique to cancer cells. Imatinib, for example, successfully treats certain leukemias by targeting a specific mutation only present in cancerous cells.

Monoclonal antibodies represent another crucial category of targeted therapies. These are molecules resembling the antibodies produced by our immune system. Scientists have developed these antibodies to attach to various cancer-specific proteins. They can block cancer cell growth, signal the immune system to eliminate cancer cells, or deliver toxic substances directly into the cancer cells. Monoclonal antibodies like trastuzumab and pembrolizumab are already making significant strides in cancer treatment.

Personalised therapy is also gaining momentum in cancer treatment. Each cancer is unique, and personalised treatment aims to match the treatment strategy with the specific cancer and genetic makeup of the patient. Genetic tests can identify mutations that increase cancer risk, allowing for early interventions or tailored therapies. For instance, cancers with specific gene mutations may respond better to certain drugs, improving treatment outcomes. Receptor presence, like estrogen and progesterone receptors in breast cancer, also guides treatment choices.

In conclusion, chemotherapy, while effective, has its downsides due to its harsh side effects. Nevertheless, cancer treatment is advancing with new avenues like targeted therapies and personalised treatments. Targeted therapies are designed to specifically attack cancer cells while sparing healthy ones, and monoclonal antibodies are a key player in this field. Moreover, understanding the genetics of both the cancer and the patient enables the development of personalised treatment plans that maximize effectiveness. While chemotherapy will continue to be part of cancer treatment, the pursuit of more refined and effective approaches is a testament to ongoing progress in the field of oncology.