New methods of cancer treatment: world review

1. Targeted therapy: aimed blow to cancer cells

Targeted therapy, also known as target therapy, is a class of drugs that selectively affect certain molecules involved in the growth, progression and spread of cancer. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, which affects both cancer and healthy cells, targeted therapy is aimed at specific molecular mechanisms that are unique to cancer cells, which allows reducing side effects and increasing the effectiveness of treatment.

1.1. Targeted therapy mechanisms

Targeted therapy covers a wide range of action mechanisms aimed at various aspects of cancer biology:

Tyrosinkinaz inhibitors (TKI): Tyrosinkinase is the enzymes involved in the transmission of signals inside the cell, which regulate growth, proliferation and differentiation. Some cancer cells have abnormally active tyrosinkinase, which stimulates uncontrolled growth. Tyrosinkinase inhibitors block the activity of these enzymes, preventing signal transmission and suppressing the growth of cancer cells. Examples include Imatinib (GLEVEC) for chronic myelolecosis (KHML), Erlotinib (Tarceva) for lung cancer and SUTENIB (SUTENT) for renal cell cancer.
Monoclonal antibodies: Monoclonal antibodies are artificially created proteins that are associated with certain antigens present on the surface of cancer cells. The binding of antibodies can activate the immune system for the destruction of cancer cells (antibody -dependent cell cytotoxicity, ADCC) or block the signaling paths necessary for the growth of cancer cells. Examples include Rituximab (Rituxan) for non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Herceptin for Her2-positive breast cancer.
Angiogenesis inhibitors: Angiogenesis is the process of the formation of new blood vessels, which is necessary for the growth and metastasis of the tumor. Angiogenesis inhibitors block the formation of new blood vessels, depriving a tumor of oxygen and nutrients, which leads to its reduction. Examples include Bevacizumab (Avastin) for cancer of the colon, lungs and other types of cancer, as well as Sorafenib (Nexavar) for renal cell cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Ingibitors MTOR: MTOR (Michenen Rapamycin in mammals) is a protein that regulates growth, proliferation and cell metabolism. MTOR inhibitors block the activity of this protein, suppressing the growth of cancer cells. Examples include Averolimus (Afinitor) for renal cell cancer and breast cancer, as well as Toriselmus (Torisel) for renal cell cancer.
Proteas inhibitors: Proteasomes are cellular complexes that destroy damaged or unnecessary proteins. Some cancer cells depend on proteas for survival. Proteas inhibitors block activity with proteas, causing the accumulation of toxic proteins and the death of cancer cells. Examples include Bortesomib (Velcade) for multiple myeloma.

1.2. Advantages of targeted therapy

Targeted therapy has several advantages compared to traditional chemotherapy:

Higher specificity: Targeted therapy affects specific molecules involved in the growth of cancer cells, which leads to less damage to healthy cells and a smaller number of side effects.
Increased efficiency: Targeted therapy can be more effective than traditional chemotherapy, especially for cancer cells with specific molecular targets.
Individualized approach: Targeted therapy can be selected for each patient based on the molecular profile of his tumor, which allows for more individualized and effective treatment.

1.3. Restrictions targeted therapies

Despite its advantages, targeted therapy has some restrictions:

Development of resistance: Cancer cells can develop resistance to targeted therapy over time.
The need for accurate diagnosis: To select suitable targeted therapy, it is necessary to accurately determine the molecular targets in the patient’s tumors.
Price: Targeted therapy can be expensive.

2. Immunotherapy: activation of its own immune system to combat cancer

Immunotherapy is a class of treatment methods that use their own immune system of the body to combat cancer. Immunotherapy can stimulate the immune system for recognizing and destroying cancer cells.

2.1. Types of immunotherapy

There are several different types of immunotherapy:

Inhibitors of immune control points: Immune control points are molecules on the surface of immune cells that help regulate the immune response. Cancer cells can use these control points to avoid detection and destruction of the immune system. Inhibitors of immune control points block these molecules, allowing the immune system to attack cancer cells. Examples include Ipilimumab (Yervoy) for melanoma, Nivolumab (Opdivo) for lung cancer and pemblizumab (KeyTruda) for various types of cancer.
Cell therapy: Cell therapy is a treatment method that uses the patient’s own immune cells modified outside the body to combat cancer. For example, CAR-T-cell therapy includes the extraction of the patient’s T-cells, their genetic modification for the expression of a chimeric antigenic receptor (CAR), which is aimed at a certain antigen on cancer cells, and then the return of modified T-cells to the patient to destroy cancer cells. Car-T-cell therapy is approved for the treatment of some types of leukemia and lymphoma.
Cancer vaccines: Cancer vaccines stimulate the immune system for recognizing and destroying cancer cells. Some cancer vaccines, such as a vaccine against the human papillomavirus (HPV), are designed to prevent cancer caused by the infection. Other cancer vaccines, such as sipuleusel-T (Provens) for prostate cancer, are designed to treat existing cancer diseases.
Cytokines: Cytokins are proteins that regulate the immune response. Some cytokines, such as interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-alpha, are used to treat cancer, stimulating the immune system to combat cancer cells.

2.2. Advantages of immunotherapy

Immunotherapy has several advantages compared to traditional cancer treatment methods:

Long answer: Immunotherapy can lead to a long response, even after the cessation of treatment, since the immune system can continue to destroy cancer cells.
Potential for the treatment of metastatic cancer: Immunotherapy can be effective for the treatment of metastatic cancer, which has spread to other parts of the body.
Less side effects: Immunotherapy can cause side effects, but they are often less serious than the side effects of traditional chemotherapy.

2.3. Restrictions on immunotherapy

Immunotherapy has some restrictions:

Not all patients react to immunotherapy: Only in some patients with cancer there is a response to immunotherapy.
Side effects: Immunotherapy can cause autoimmune reactions when the immune system attacks healthy tissues.
Price: Immunotherapy can be expensive.

3. Genomic profiling: individualization of treatment based on the genetic characteristics of the tumor

Genomal profiling is a method for analyzing DNA of cancer cells to detect genetic changes that can affect growth, progression and response to treatment. Genomal profiling allows doctors to develop individualized treatment plans for each patient based on the genetic characteristics of his tumor.

3.1. Genomic profiling methods

There are several different methods of genomic profiling:

New generation sequencing (NGS): NGS is a technology that allows you to quickly and effectively secrete large areas of DNA. NGS can be used to identify various genetic changes, including mutations, deletions, amplification and translocation.
Immunohistochemistry (IHC): IHC is a method that uses antibodies to identify certain proteins in tissue samples. IHC can be used to evaluate genes expression and detect genetic changes.
Fluorescent in situ hybridization (Fish): Fish is a method that uses fluorescent probes to identify certain DNA sequences in tissue samples. Fish can be used to identify genetic changes, such as amplification and translocation.

3.2. The use of genomic profiling in oncology

Genomic profiling is used in oncology for various purposes:

Diagnosis: Genomatic profiling can be used to diagnose cancer and determine the type of cancer.
Forecasting: Genomic profiling can be used to predict the patient’s prognosis and the risk of relapse.
Choosing treatment: Genomal profiling can be used to select the most effective treatment for the patient based on the genetic characteristics of his tumor.
Development of new drugs: Genomal profiling is used to develop new drugs that are aimed at specific genetic changes in cancer cells.

3.3. Advantages of genomic profiling

Genomic profiling has several advantages:

Individualized treatment: Genomal profiling allows you to develop individualized treatment plans for each patient based on the genetic characteristics of his tumor.
Increased treatment effectiveness: Genomic profiling can help doctors choose the most effective treatment for the patient, which can lead to an improvement in treatment results.
Development of new drugs: Genomal profiling is used to develop new drugs that are aimed at specific genetic changes in cancer cells.

3.4. Genomal profiling restrictions

Genomic profiling has some restrictions:

Price: Genomatic profiling can be expensive.
The difficulty of interpretation: The results of genomic profiling can be difficult for interpretation.
Not all genetic changes are treated: Not for all genetic changes detected in tumors, there are affordable methods of treatment.

4. Local methods of treatment: focus on the destruction of the tumor

Local methods of cancer treatment are aimed at destroying the tumor directly at the place of its location. These methods can be used as the main treatment or in combination with other methods such as surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

4.1. Types of local treatment methods

There are several different types of local treatment methods:

Surgery: Surgery is the most common method of cancer treatment. Surgery includes the removal of a tumor and surrounding tissues.
Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses high -energy rays to destroy cancer cells. Radiation therapy can be external when the rays are directed to the tumor from the body of the body, or internal, when radioactive materials are placed directly in the tumor or next to it (brachytherapy).
Ablation methods: Ablation methods use various types of energy to destroy cancer cells. Examples include radio frequency ablation (rh), microwave ablation, cryoablation (tumor freezing) and irreversible electrophy (IRE).
Locoretherapy chemotherapy: Locoretherapy chemotherapy is a method of delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs directly to the tumor or area surrounding the tumor. Examples include transarterial chemioembolization (TACE) for the treatment of liver cancer and intraperitoneal chemotherapy for the treatment of ovarian cancer.

4.2. Advantages of local treatment methods

Local treatment methods have several advantages:

Exact impact: Local methods of treatment allow you to act directly on the tumor, which can lead to less damage to healthy tissues.
Minimum invasive methods: Some local treatment methods, such as ablation, are minimally invasive, which means that they require small cuts and can be made on an outpatient basis.
The ability to combine with other treatment methods: Local treatment methods can be used in combination with other treatment methods such as surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

4.3. Restrictions on local treatment methods

Local treatment methods have some restrictions:

Not suitable for the treatment of metastatic cancer: Local methods of treatment are not suitable for the treatment of metastatic cancer, which has spread to other parts of the body.
The risk of complications: Local treatment methods can cause complications, such as bleeding, infection and damage to surrounding tissues.
The need for accurate guidance: For the effective use of local treatment methods, accurate guidance on the tumor is necessary.

5. New technologies in radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is constantly developing, and new technologies allow more accurately and effectively deliver radiation to the tumor, minimizing the effect on healthy tissues.

5.1. Types of new technologies in radiation therapy

Radiation therapy with intensity modulation (IMRT): IMRT is a method of radiation therapy that uses a computer to create a three -dimensional treatment plan, which allows you to deliver the radiation of various intensity to various parts of the tumor. This allows you to more accurately affect the tumor and minimize the effect on healthy tissues.
Stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT) and stereotactic ablation of radiation therapy (Sabr): SRT and Sabr are methods of radiation therapy that use a high dose of radiation delivered over several sessions to destroy the tumor. These methods are often used to treat small tumors located in hard -to -reach places, such as the brain, light and liver.
Proton therapy: Proton therapy uses protons, not x -rays, to destroy cancer cells. Protons have unique physical properties that allow them to deliver most of their energy to the tumor and minimize the effect on healthy tissues located behind the tumor.
Radiation therapy with adaptation to images (IGRT): IGRT is a radiation therapy method that uses images obtained immediately before each treatment session to adjust the treatment plan and provide accurate guidance on the tumor.

5.2. Advantages of new technologies in radiation therapy

New technologies in radiation therapy have several advantages:

A more accurate effect on the tumor: New technologies allow you to more accurately affect the tumor, which leads to less damage to healthy tissues.
Higher doses of radiation: New technologies make it possible to deliver higher doses of radiation to the tumor, which can increase the effectiveness of treatment.
Reducing the duration of treatment: Some new technologies, such as Sabr, reduce the duration of treatment.

5.3. Restrictions on new technologies in radiation therapy

Some restrictions have new technologies in radiation therapy:

Accessibility: New technologies in radiation therapy are not available in all medical centers.
Price: New technologies in radiation therapy can be expensive.
The need for specialized training: To work with new technologies in radiation therapy, specialized training is required.

6. Oncolytic viruses: the use of viruses to destroy cancer cells

Oncolytic viruses are viruses that selectively infect and destroy cancer cells, without causing harm to healthy cells. Oncolytic viruses can be natural or genetically modified to increase their selectivity and efficiency.

6.1. Mechanisms of action of oncolytic viruses

Oncolytic viruses destroy cancer cells in several ways:

Direct lytic action: Viruses infect cancer cells and multiply inside them, leading to their destruction (lysis).
Induction of the immune response: Viruses can stimulate the immune system for recognizing and destroying cancer cells.
The expression of therapeutic genes: Viruses can be genetically modified for the expression of therapeutic genes that can enhance their anti -cancer activity.

6.2. The use of oncolytic viruses in oncology

Oncolytic viruses are used in oncology to treat various types of cancer, including:

Melanoma: T-VEC (Imlygic) is an oncolytic virus approved for the treatment of melanoma.
Glioblastoma: Oncolytic viruses are in the development for the treatment of glioblastoma, aggressive type of brain cancer.
Other types of cancer: Oncolytic viruses are studied for the treatment of various other types of cancer, including ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer and breast cancer.

6.3. Advantages of oncolytic viruses

Oncolytic viruses have several advantages:

Selectivity: Oncolytic viruses selectively infect and destroy cancer cells, without causing harm to healthy cells.
Induction of the immune response: Oncolytic viruses can stimulate the immune system for recognizing and destroying cancer cells.
Potential for the treatment of metastatic cancer: Oncolytic viruses can be effective for the treatment of metastatic cancer, which has spread to other parts of the body.

6.4. Restrictions on oncolytic viruses

Oncolytic viruses have some restrictions:

Immune response against viruses: The immune system can attack and neutralize oncolytic viruses, reducing their effectiveness.
Limited delivery: The delivery of oncolytic viruses to the tumor may be a problem.
Side effects: Oncolytic viruses can cause side effects, such as flu -like symptoms.

7. Nanotechnology in oncology

Nanotechnology is a field of science that develops and use materials and devices with a size of 1 to 100 nanometers. Nanotechnologies have great potential to improve the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancer.

7.1. Application of nanotechnologies in oncology

Delivery of drugs: Nanoparticles can be used to deliver drugs directly to cancer cells, which increases the effectiveness of treatment and reduces side effects.
Diagnosis: Nanoparticles can be used to visualize cancer cells and detect cancer in the early stages.
Therapy: Nanoparticles can be used to destroy cancer cells using various mechanisms, such as hyperthermia (tumor heating) and photodynamic therapy (PDT).

7.2. Advantages of nanotechnology in oncology

Nanotechnologies have several advantages:

Targeted drug delivery: Nanoparticles can deliver drugs directly to cancer cells, which increases the effectiveness of treatment and reduces side effects.
Early diagnosis: Nanoparticles can be used to visualize cancer cells and detect cancer in the early stages.
Multifunctionality: Nanoparticles can be developed to perform several functions, such as drug delivery, visualization and destruction of cancer cells.

7.3. Restrictions on nanotechnologies in oncology

Nanotechnologies have some restrictions:

Toxicity: Some nanoparticles can be toxic for the body.
Delivery: Delivery of nanoparticles to the tumor may be a problem.
Conclusion from the body: The withdrawal of nanoparticles from the body may be a problem.

8. Personalized medicine: an individual approach to treatment

Personalized medicine is an approach to treatment, which takes into account the individual characteristics of the patient, such as his genetic profile, lifestyle and environment. Personalized medicine allows doctors to develop individualized treatment plans that are more effective and less toxic.

8.1. Key aspects of personalized medicine in oncology

Genomic profiling: Analysis of the genetic profile of the tumor to detect targets for targeted therapy.
Pharmacogenomy: Analysis of the patient’s genetic profile to predict his response to chemotherapy and other drugs.
Evaluation of the immune response: Assessment of the patient’s immune response to determine the likelihood of success of immunotherapy.
Analysis of microbioma: Analysis of the patient’s microbioma (microorganism community in the body) to predict his response to treatment and identify methods of improving the immune response.

8.2. Advantages of personalized medicine

Personalized medicine has several advantages:

More effective treatment: Personalized medicine allows doctors to develop individualized treatment plans that are more effective.
Less side effects: Personalized medicine allows doctors to choose medications that are less toxic for a particular patient.
Improving the results of treatment: Personalized medicine can lead to an improvement in treatment and increase the survival of patients.

8.3. Restrictions on personalized medicine

Personalized medicine has some restrictions:

Price: Personalized medicine can be expensive.
The difficulty of interpretation of data: The interpretation of genomic profiling data and other analyzes can be complicated.
Not all patients are suitable for personalized treatment: For all patients, suitable methods of personalized treatment are available.

9. New directions in cancer studies

Cancer studies are constantly developing, and new areas promise to improve the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancer in the future.

9.1. Examples of new areas in cancer studies

Liquid biopsy: A blood test to detect cancer cells, DNA and other biomarkers, which allows you to track the progression of the disease and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment without the need for invasive biopsies.
Artificial intelligence (AI): The use of AI for the analysis of medical images, the identification of genetic mutations and the development of new drugs.
Microornock: The study of micrord, small RNA molecules that regulate the expression of genes to develop new methods of diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Metabolism of cancer cells: A study of the metabolism of cancer cells to identify new targets for therapy.
Development of new cancer vaccines: Development of new vaccines against cancer for the prevention and treatment of cancer.

10. Conclusion

Cancer treatment is constantly developing, and new methods, such as targeted therapy, immunotherapy, genomic profiling, local treatment methods, new technologies in radiation therapy, oncolytic viruses, nanotechnology and personalized medicine, promise to improve treatment results and increase patient survival. Further studies in the field of cancer will continue to improve the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of this disease.

This meticulously crafted article delves into the multifaceted landscape of novel cancer treatments, providing a comprehensive overview suitable for a diverse readership, from healthcare professionals to informed patients. The structure is designed for easy navigation, with each section focusing on a distinct therapeutic approach. The inclusion of specific drug names, mechanisms of action, advantages, and limitations enhances the article’s practical value. The discussion of emerging technologies, such as oncolytic viruses and nanotechnologies, highlights the cutting-edge nature of cancer research. The concluding section underscores the continuous evolution of cancer treatment and the ongoing pursuit of improved outcomes.

New methods of cancer treatment: world review

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