New methods of cancer treatment

New methods of cancer treatment

Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth and the spread of abnormal cells. Traditional methods for treating cancer, such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, are often effective, but they can have significant side effects and are not always able to completely destroy the tumor. In recent years, new methods of cancer treatment have appeared, which are more purposeful, effective and less toxic. These methods are based on the in -depth understanding of cancer biology and use advanced technologies to combat the disease.

1. Immunotherapy: disclosure of the force of the immune system

Immunotherapy is a revolutionary approach to the treatment of cancer, which uses its own immune system of the body to combat the tumor. The immune system has the ability to recognize and destroy abnormal cells, including cancer cells. However, cancer cells often find ways to evade the immune response, suppressing or masking themselves from immune cells. Immunotherapy works, enhancing the immune response against cancer, either by stimulating immune cells, or by blocking the mechanisms that cancer cells are used to evade the immune system.

1.1 Inhibitors of immune control points:

Immune control points are molecules on immune cells that help regulate the immune response and prevent autoimmune reactions. Cancer cells often use these control points to turn off the immune cells and avoid destruction. Inhibitors of immune control points are medicines that block these control points, allowing immune cells to attack cancer cells.

• CTLA-4 inhibitors: CTLA-4 is a control point that acts in the early stages of activation of immune cells. CTLA-4 inhibitors, such as Ipilimumab, block CTLA-4, allowing T-cells to more effectively activate and attack cancer cells. Ipilimumab is approved for the treatment of melanoma, lung cancer, kidney cancer and other types of cancer.

• PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors: PD-1 is a control point that acts at later stages of the immune response. PD-L1 is a molecule that binds to PD-1 and turns off the T cells. PD-1 inhibitors, such as pumbrilizumab and nivolumab, block PD-1, and PD-L1 inhibitors, such as athelyzolyzumab and durvalumab, block PD-L1. These drugs are approved for the treatment of a wide range of cancer, including lung cancer, skin cancer, kidney cancer, bladder cancer and lymphoma.

1.2 car-T cell therapy:

CAR-T cell therapy is a personalized type of immunotherapy that uses genetic engineering to modify the patient T-cells so that they can more effectively attack cancer cells. In Car-T cell therapy, the patient’s T-cells are extracted from the blood and genetically modified in the laboratory to express a chimary antigenic receptor (CAR). CAR is a synthetic protein that allows T-cells to recognize and contact a certain antigen present on cancer cells. Then the modified Car-T cells multiply in the laboratory and introduced back to the patient. When CAR-T cells encounter cancer cells expressing the target antigen, they activate and destroy cancer cells.

• Car-T cell therapy turned out to be very effective in the treatment of certain types of blood cancer, such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (OLL) and diffuse B-cell large-cell lymphoma (DVKL). Several Car-T cell therapy were approved by FDA to treat these diseases. Studies continue to assess the effectiveness of Car-T cell therapy in the treatment of other types of cancer, including solid tumors.

1.3 Oncolithic viruses:

Oncolytic viruses are viruses that selectively infect and destroy cancer cells without damaging healthy cells. These viruses can be either natural or genetically modified to increase their selectivity and efficiency. When the oncolytic virus infects the cancer cell, it multiplies inside the cell, causing its lysis (destruction) and the release of viral particles. These viral particles then infect other cancer cells, launching a chain reaction, which leads to the destruction of the tumor. In addition, oncolytic viruses can stimulate the immune response against cancer, releasing antigens of cancer cells and attracting immune cells to the tumor.

• Talimogen camp (T-VEC) is a genetically modified herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSG-1), which is approved by FDA for the treatment of melanoma. T-VEC is introduced directly into the tumors of melanomas, where it selectively infects and destroys cancer cells. Studies continue to assess the effectiveness of oncolytic viruses in the treatment of other types of cancer.

1.4 vaccines against cancer:

Cancer vaccines are a type of immunotherapy, which is designed to stimulate the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. Unlike preventive vaccines that prevent infection, therapeutic vaccines against cancer are intended for the treatment of existing cancer. Cancer vaccines can be made of various materials, including antigens of cancer cells, DNA of cancer cells or immune cells treated with antigens of cancer cells. When the cancer vaccine is administered to the patient, it stimulates the immune system to the production of immune cells specific to cancer cells. These immune cells can then attack and destroy cancer cells.

• Sipuleusel-T is a cancer vaccine approved by FDA for the treatment of metastatic castration and resolution cancer of the prostate gland. Sipuleusel-T is made of patient immune cells, which were activated by the in vitro antigen of the cancer cells of the prostate. Studies continue to assess the effectiveness of cancer vaccines in the treatment of other types of cancer.

2. Targeted therapy: targeted blow to cancer cells

Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment, which is aimed at certain molecules or paths that play a role in growth, progression and distribution of cancer. Unlike chemotherapy, which affects all rapidly dividing cells, targeted therapy is aimed only at cancer cells containing specific molecular abnormalities. This makes targeted therapy more targeted and less toxic than chemotherapy.

2.1 Tyrosinkinase inhibitors:

Tyrosinkinase (TC) is enzymes that play a role in transmitting signals inside the cells. Many cancer cells have an abnormal activity in the TC, which contributes to the growth and spread of cancer. Tyrosinkinase inhibitors (ITK) are drugs that block the activity of TC, thereby suppressing the growth and spread of cancer cells.

• Imatinib is an ITK that is used to treat chronic myelolecosis (HML), gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) and other types of cancer. Imatinib is specifically aimed at the BCR-BL TC, which is present in the CML cells.

• Erlotinib and Gefitinib are ITK that are used to treat non -alcohol lung cancer (NMRL) with EGFR mutations.

• Vemorafenib and Dubrafenib are ITK that are used to treat melanoma with BRAF mutations.

2.2 Ingibitors MTOR:

MTOR (Michenen Rapamycin in mammals) is a protein that plays a role in growth, survival and metabolism of cells. Mtor is often hyperactive in cancer cells, which contributes to the growth and spread of cancer. MTOR inhibitors are drugs that block the activity of MTOR, thereby suppressing the growth and spread of cancer cells.

• Syrolimus and Everolimus are MTOR inhibitors that are used to treat kidney cancer, breast cancer and other types of cancer.

2.3 CDK inhibitors:

The cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) is enzymes that play a role in the regulation of the cell cycle. CDK is often hyperactive in cancer cells, which leads to uncontrolled cell growth. CDK inhibitors are drugs that block the activity of CDK, thereby stopping the cell cycle and suppressing the growth of cancer cells.

• Palbocyclib, ribocyclib and Abemacclicb are CDK4/6 inhibitors, which are used to treat hormone receptor-positive (HR+), HER2-negative breast cancer.

2.4 PARP inhibitors:

PARP (Paul (ADF Ribosis) of Polymerase) is an enzyme that plays a role in DNA restoration. Cancer cells with mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, which also play a role in DNA restoration, are especially sensitive to PARP inhibitors. PARP inhibitors block PARP activity, thereby preventing DNA restoration and leading to the death of cancer cells.

• Olaparib, Rudaparib and Talarizoparib are PARP inhibitors that are used to treat ovarian cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.

2.5 monoclonal antibodies:

Monoclonal antibodies are proteins that are created in the laboratories and are designed to bind to certain antigens on cancer cells. When a monoclonal antibody binds to a cancer cell, it can either directly kill a cancer cell, or signal the immune system about the attack of a cancer cell.

• Trastuzumab is a monoclonal antibody, which is aimed at HER2 protein, which is super -explosive in some types of breast cancer.

• Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody, which is aimed at CD20 protein, which is present on the surface of the B cells. Rituximab is used to treat lymphoma and leukemia.

• Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody, which is aimed at the growth factor of the vascular endothelium (VEGF), a protein that contributes to the formation of new blood vessels. Bevacizumab is used to treat lung cancer, colon cancer and other types of cancer.

3. Gene therapy: Correction of genetic errors

Gene therapy is a type of treatment that is designed to correct genetic defects that cause cancer. Gene therapy can be used to introduce new genes into cancer cells to correct damaged genes or to turn off genes that contribute to cancer growth.

3.1 General therapy based on viruses:

Most of genetic therapy methods use viruses as vectors for the delivery of genetic material to cells. Viruses are genetically modified so that they can infect cells, but not cause disease. The viral vector carries a therapeutic gene that is introduced into cancer cells.

3.2 General therapy based on non -viral vectors:

Nevirus vectors, such as liposomes and nanoparticles, can also be used to deliver genetic material to cells. Nevirus vectors are less immunogenic than viral vectors, but they are less effective in delivering genetic material to cells.

3.3 Genes editing technologies:

New genes editing technologies, such as CRISPR-CAS9, allow scientists to accurately edit cells in cells. CRISPR-CAS9 can be used to correct damaged genes in cancer cells or to turn off genes that contribute to cancer growth.

4. Local methods of treatment: accurate effect on the tumor

Local methods for treating cancer are aimed directly at the tumor, minimizing the effect on the surrounding healthy tissues. These methods are especially useful for the treatment of tumors, which are localized and have not spread to other parts of the body.

4.1 Ablass radio parts (RCHA):

RFA uses radio waves to heat and destroy cancer cells. During the rh, a thin probe is introduced into the tumor, which generates radio waves. Radio waves heat the tissues around the probe, causing the destruction of cancer cells. RCha is often used to treat tumors of the liver, kidneys and lungs.

4.2 Microwave Ablation (MVA):

MBA uses microwaves to heat and destroy cancer cells. MVA is similar to rh, but uses microwaves instead of radio waves. MVA can be more effective than rh for the treatment of large tumors.

4.3 Cryoablation:

Crybulation uses an extreme cold to freeze and destroy cancer cells. During the cryoBlax, a probe is introduced into the tumor, which generates very low temperatures. Low temperatures freeze the tissues around the probe, causing the destruction of cancer cells. Crybulation is often used to treat kidney, prostate and lung tumors.

4.4 Stereotactic radiation therapy (SLT) and stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (Salt):

SLT and Salt are methods of radiation therapy that use high -precision radiation bundles to influence the tumor. SLT delivers several small doses of radiation within a few days, while Salt delivers one or more high doses of radiation. SLT and Salt can be used to treat tumors in various parts of the body, including lungs, liver, brain and spine.

4.5 Brachitherapy (intracranial radiation therapy):

Brachitherapy is a type of radiation therapy in which radioactive sources are placed directly in the tumor or next to it. Brachitherapy allows you to deliver a high dose of radiation directly to the tumor, minimizing the effect on the surrounding healthy tissues. Brachitherapy is often used to treat prostate cancer, cervical cancer and breast cancer.

5. Other new methods of treatment:

In addition to the above methods, there are a number of other new methods of cancer treatment that are in development.

5.1 Nanotechnology:

Nanotechnologies use nanoparticles for the delivery of drugs for cancer directly to cancer cells. Nanoparticles can be developed in such a way that they are specific for cancer cells, which allows them to deliver medicines for cancer directly to the tumor, minimizing the effect on the surrounding healthy tissues.

5.2 Virotherapy:

Virotherapy uses viruses to treat cancer. Oncolytic viruses selectively infect and destroy cancer cells without damaging healthy cells.

5.3 Photodynamic therapy (FDT):

FDT uses photosensitive drugs and light to destroy cancer cells. The photosensitive drug is administered to the patient, and then the tumor is exposed to light of a certain wavelength. Light activates a photosensitive drug that produces toxic molecules that destroy cancer cells.

5.4 liquid biopsy:

Liquid biopsy is a non -invasive way of detecting and monitoring cancer. Liquid biopsy includes an analysis of blood samples or other body fluids for detecting cancer cells or DNA of cancer cells. Liquid biopsy can be used for early detection of cancer, monitor the reaction to treatment and detection of drug stability.

5.5 Artificial intelligence (AI):

AI is used to develop new cancer treatment methods. AI can be used to analyze large amounts of data to identify new goals for drugs for cancer, to develop new drugs for cancer and to predict patients reaction to treatment.

Conclusion:

New methods of cancer treatment open exciting prospects to combat this disease. Immunotherapy, targeted therapy, gene therapy, local treatment methods and other new approaches offer more purposeful, effective and less toxic treatment options. The development of these methods requires constant research and innovation, but it gives hope to improve the results of the treatment and quality of life of patients with cancer. Understanding these advanced approaches is crucial for medical workers and patients in order to make reasonable decisions regarding treatment and contribute to progress in the fight against cancer.