Assessment of the Evolution of Cancer Treatment Therapies

Abstract

Cancer therapy has been characterized throughout history by ups and downs, not only due to the ineffectiveness of treatments and side effects, but also by hope and the reality of complete remission and cure in many cases. Within the therapeutic arsenal, alongside surgery in the case of solid tumors, are the antitumor drugs and radiation that have been the treatment of choice in some instances. In recent years, immunotherapy has become an important therapeutic alternative, and is now the first choice in many cases. Nanotechnology has recently arrived on the scene, offering nanostructures as new therapeutic alternatives for controlled drug delivery, for combining imaging and treatment, applying hyperthermia, and providing directed target therapy, among others. These therapies can be applied either alone or in combination with other components (antibodies, peptides, folic acid, etc.). In addition, gene therapy is also offering promising new methods for treatment. Here, we present a review of the evolution of cancer treatments, starting with chemotherapy, surgery, radiation and immunotherapy, and moving on to the most promising cutting-edge therapies (gene therapy and nanomedicine). We offer an historical point of view that covers the arrival of these therapies to clinical practice and the market, and the promises and challenges they present.

Truth-Telling and Cancer Diagnoses: Physician Attitudes and Practices in Qatar

“…These evolving norms coalesced in legal standards for disclosure [3], a trend fostered by an enhanced ability to detect and treat many forms of cancer [4].…”

Synthesis and Anticancer Activity of Tertiary Amides of Salinomycin and Their C20‐oxo Analogues

“…Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, and it is estimated that about 10 million people died from cancer in 2018 . Among currently used cancer therapies, surgical removal and radiation treatment, followed by systemic chemotherapy, are the most commonly used strategies . However, the major disadvantages of chemotherapy are the recurrence of cancer, associated with drug resistance, and also severe side effects that significantly limit dosing and impair a patient's quality of life .…”

“…[2] Among currently used cancer therapies, surgical removal and radiation treatment, followed by systemic chemotherapy, are the most commonly used strategies. [3][4][5] However, the major disadvantages of chemotherapy are the recurrence of cancer, associated with drug resistance, and also severe side effects that significantly limit dosing [6,7] and impair a patient's quality of life. [3] Despite these limitations, chemotherapy is still widely employed at all stages of cancer progression.…”

Anticancer, Antioxidant and Antiangiogenic Activities of Nanoparticles of Bioactive Dietary Nutraceuticals

“…The most common conventional cancer treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hyperthermia, targeted and antiangiogenic therapies. These treatments suffer from drawbacks such as high treatment cost, acute toxicity, tumor recurrence, adverse drug reactions and often lead to treatment failures . Owing to this, different therapeutic strategies are currently being explored in contemporary oncology to reduce toxicity and improve efficacy compared to conventional treatments.…”