Targeted therapy,
which first became available in the late 1990s, has had a
significant impact in the treatment of some types of cancer, and
is currently a very active research area. This constitutes the
use of agents specific for the deregulated proteins of cancer
cells. Small molecule targeted therapy drugs are generally
inhibitors of enzymatic domains on mutated, overexpressed, or
otherwise critical proteins within the cancer cell. Prominent
examples are the tyrosine kinase inhibitors imatinib and
gefitinib.
Monoclonal antibody therapy is another strategy in which the
therapeutic agent is an antibody which specifically binds to a
protein on the surface of the cancer cells. Examples include the
anti-HER2/neu antibody trastuzumab (Herceptin®) used in breast
cancer, and the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab, used in a variety
of B-cell malignancies.
Targeted therapy can also involve small peptides as "homing
devices" which can bind to cell surface receptors or affected
extracellular matrix surrounding the tumor. Radionuclides which
are attached to this peptides (e.g. RGDs) eventually kill the
cancer cell if the nuclide decays in the vicinity of the cell.
Especially oligo- or multimers of these binding motifs are of
great interest, since this can lead to enhanced tumor
specificity and avidity.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a ternary treatment for cancer
involving a photosensitizer, tissue oxygen, and light (often
using lasers). PDT can be used as treatment for basal cell
carcinoma (BCC) or lung cancer; PDT can also be useful in
removing traces of malignant tissue after surgical removal of
large tumors.
Treatment Immunotherapy >>
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Cancer
Classification
1. Nomenclature
2. Adult cancers
3. Childhood cancers
Signs and symptoms
Diagnosis
1. Investigation
2. Biopsy
Treatment
1. Surgery
2. Radiation therapy
3. Chemotherapy
4. Targeted therapies
5. Immunotherapy
6. Hormonal therapy
7. Symptom control
8. Complementary and alternative
9. Treatment trials
Prognosis
1. Emotional impact
Causes
1. Chemical carcinogens
2. Ionizing radiation &
Infectious diseases
3. Hormonal imbalances
& Immune system dysfunction
4. Heredity & Other causes
Pathophysiology
1. Epigenetics
2. Oncogenes
3. Tumor suppressor genes
4. Cancer cell biology
4.1 Clonal evolution
4.2 Biological properties of cancer cells
Prevention
1. Modifiable ("lifestyle") risk factors
2. Diet
3. Vitamins
4. Chemoprevention
5. Genetic testing
6. Vaccination
7. Screening
Epidemiology
History
Research |
