New methods of cancer treatment: Revolution in oncology
1. Immunotherapy: mobilization of your own body protection
Immunotherapy, which is the stimulation of the patient’s immune system to combat cancer cells, has become one of the most promising directions in modern oncology. It differs from traditional methods of treatment, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which directly destroy cancer cells, often damage and healthy tissues. Immunotherapy, on the contrary, activates its own protective mechanisms of the body, allowing it to recognize and destroy cancer cells more efficiently and purposefully.
1.1. Control points inhibitors:
Cancer cells often use mechanisms known as control points of the immune response to avoid detection and destruction of the immune system. These control points, such as PD-1, PD-L1 and CTLA-4, are proteins present on the surface of immune cells (T-lymphocytes) and cancer cells. The interaction of these proteins leads to the suppression of the activity of T-lymphocytes, allowing cancer cells to slip away from immune supervision.
Control points, such as Pembroralizumab (KeyTruda) and Nivolumab (Opdivo), block these interactions, releasing T-lymphocytes and allowing them to attack cancer cells. These drugs showed significant effectiveness in the treatment of various types of cancer, including melanoma, lung cancer, kidney cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma.
Clinical tests of control points inhibitors demonstrated impressive results, including long -term remission and an increase in the total survival of patients with metastatic cancer. However, like any other treatment method, immunotherapy has its side effects, which may include autoimmune reactions, such as pneumonia, intestines, liver and endocrine organs. It is important to note that not all patients respond to control points inhibitors, and studies continue to identify biomarkers, which can predict the response to therapy.
1.2. CAR-T cell therapy:
CAR-T CELCOMIC ANTIGEN Receptor T-CELL THEAPY) is a personalized approach to immunotherapy, which includes the genetic modification of the patient’s T-lymphocytes for recognition and destruction of cancer cells. In this process, T-lymphocytes are extracted from the patient’s blood and genetically modified in the laboratory for the expression of the chime-dimensional antigenic receptor (CAR). This Car is an artificially created protein that allows T-lymphocytes to recognize a specific antigen present on the surface of cancer cells.
Modified Car-T cells then breed in the laboratory and introduced back to the patient. After returning to the Car-T body, cells are found and associated with cancer cells, launching an immune response, which leads to their destruction.
CAR-T cell therapy has shown outstanding results in the treatment of certain types of blood cancer, such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (OLL) and diffuse B-cell lymphoma (DVKL). However, Car-T cell therapy can cause serious side effects, such as cytokine release syndrome (CVC) and neurotoxicity. SVC is a systemic inflammatory reaction that can lead to high temperature, low blood pressure and difficulty breathing. Neurotoxicity can cause confusion, convulsions and other neurological symptoms.
1.3. Oncolytic viruses:
Oncolytic viruses are viruses that selectively infect and destroy cancer cells without harming healthy cells. These viruses can be genetically modified to increase their selectivity and efficiency, as well as for the expression of therapeutic genes, which enhance the anti -cancer effect.
Oncolytic viruses act in several ways. Firstly, they directly lying (destroy) cancer cells. Secondly, they stimulate the immune response against cancer cells. Thirdly, they can express therapeutic genes that block the growth and spread of cancer cells.
T-VEC (Talimogene Laherparepvec), an oncolithic virus based on the herpes simplex virus, was approved for the treatment of melanoma. Clinical tests have shown that T-VEC can reduce tumors size and improve the total survival of patients with metastatic melanoma.
1.4. Cancer vaccines:
Cancer vaccines are a type of immunotherapy that teaches the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. Unlike preventive vaccines that prevent infection, therapeutic cancer vaccines are intended for the treatment of existing cancer diseases.
Cancer vaccines can be created on the basis of various materials, including cancer cells, cancer cells and DNA or RNA cancer cells. These materials are introduced to the patient to stimulate the immune response against cancer cells.
Sipuleucel-T (Provenge) is a cancer vaccine approved for the treatment of metastatic hormone-resistant cancer of the prostate gland. Sipuleucel-T is made from the patient’s immune cells, which were activated in vitro using cancer cells. Clinical trials have shown that Sipuleucel-T can extend the life of patients with metastatic prostate cancer.
2. Targeted therapy: accurate blow to cancer cells
Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment that is aimed at specific molecules involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells. Unlike chemotherapy, which affects all rapidly dividing cells, targeted therapy is more selective and can be less toxic for healthy cells.
2.1. Tyrosinkinase inhibitors:
Tyrosinkinase is enzymes that play an important role in the growth and division of cells. Many cancer cells have abnormally active tyrosinkinase, which contribute to their uncontrolled growth. Tyrosinkinase inhibitors (ITK) are drugs that block the activity of these enzymes, stopping the growth of cancer cells.
Imatinib (GleEvec) is ITK, which is used to treat chronic myelolecosis (KHM), blood cancer, in which too many white blood cells are produced. Imatinib is aimed at tyrosinkinase BCR-BL, which is abnormally active in KML cells. Imatinib revolutioned in the treatment of KML, turning it from a deadly disease into a chronic, well -controlled state.
Other ITKs are used to treat various types of cancer, including lung cancer, kidney cancer and breast cancer.
2.2. Ingibitors MTOR:
Mtor (Mammalian Target of Rapamycin) is a protein that plays an important role in cell growth, proliferation and metabolism. The MTOR path is often hyperactivated with many types of cancer. MTOR inhibitors are drugs that block the activity of MTOR, slowing down the growth of cancer cells.
Everolimus (Afinitor) and Temsirolimus (Torisel) are MTOR inhibitors that are used to treat various types of cancer, including kidney cancer, breast cancer and neuroendocrine tumors.
2.3. BRAF and MEK inhibitors:
Braf and MEK are proteins that are part of the signaling path, which regulates the growth and division of cells. Mutations in the BRAF gene are found in approximately half the cases of melanoma. BRAF and MEK inhibitors are drugs that block the activity of these proteins, stopping the growth of melanoma cancer cells.
Vemurafenib (Zelboraf) and Dabrafenib (Tafinlar) are Braf inhibitors, and Trametinib (Mekinist) and Cobimetinib (Cotellic) are MEK inhibitors. These drugs are often used in combination for the treatment of melanoma with Braf mutation.
2.4. Her2 inhibitors:
HER2 (Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2) is a protein that is present on the surface of some cancer cells of the breast, stomach and other types of cancer. HER2 promotes the growth and division of cancer cells. Her2 inhibitors are drugs that block the activity of HER2, stopping the growth of cancer cells.
Trastuzumab (Herceptin) and Pertuzumab (perjeta) are monoclonal antibodies that bind to HER2 and block its activity. T-DM1 (KADCYLA) is a drug that is a combination of Trastuzumab and the DM1 chemotherapeutic drug. T-DM1 delivers chemotherapy directly to the Her2-positive cancer cells.
3. Gene therapy: Correction of genetic errors
Gene therapy is a type of cancer treatment, which includes a change in the genetic material of the patient’s cells for the treatment of the disease. Gene therapy is at a relatively early stage of development, but it has a great potential for the treatment of various types of cancer.
3.1. Genes replacement:
In some cases, cancer is caused by a mutation in the gene, which inhibits the growth of the tumor. Gene therapy can be used to replace this generated gene with a functional copy of the gene.
3.2. Introduction of genes:
Gene therapy can be used to introduce genes that kill cancer cells or make them more sensitive to other treatment methods, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
3.3. CRISPR-CAS9:
CRISPR-CAS9 is a genetic editing technology that allows scientists to accurately edit DNA. CRISPR-CAS9 can be used to inactivation of genes that contribute to the growth of cancer cells, or to introduce genes that kill cancer cells.
4. Local methods of treatment: accurate effect on the tumor
Local methods of cancer treatment are treatment methods that are aimed at the tumor directly, without damage to the whole organism. These treatment methods can be used to treat small tumors that have not spread to other parts of the body.
4.1. Radio frequency ablation:
Radio frequency ablation (rh) is a treatment method that uses heat to destroy cancer cells. During the rh, a thin needle is introduced into the tumor, which radiates radio frequency energy. This energy heats the tissue around the needle, destroying cancer cells.
RCha can be used to treat various types of cancer, including liver cancer, kidney cancer and lung cancer.
4.2. Microwave Ablation:
Microwave Abtiral (MVA) is a treatment method similar to RFA, but using microwave energy instead of radio frequency energy. MVA can be faster and more efficiently more efficient for the treatment of large tumors.
4.3. Cryochabilitation:
Cryochabilitation is a treatment method that uses cold to destroy cancer cells. During cryoans, a thin needle is introduced into the tumor, which freezes fabrics around the needle. Freezing destroys cancer cells.
Cryophabing can be used to treat various types of cancer, including kidney cancer, prostate cancer and lung cancer.
4.4. Stereotactic radiation therapy:
Stereotactic radiation therapy (SLT) is a type of radiation therapy that uses accurate radiation rays to aim to a tumor. SLT can be used to treat tumors, which are located in hard -to -reach places, or for tumors, which are too large for surgical removal.
5. Other promising directions:
In addition to the above, there are other promising areas in the treatment of cancer that are actively examined.
5.1. Nanotechnology:
Nanotechnology is the use of materials and devices at the nanometer level (one billionth of the meter). Nanotechnologies have great potential for the use of cancer, including drug delivery, diagnosis and visualization.
Nanoparticles can be developed for the delivery of drugs directly to cancer cells, bypassing healthy cells. This can reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and increase the effectiveness of treatment. Nanoparticles can also be used to visualize tumors at an early stage, which will start treatment earlier.
5.2. Exosome:
Exosomas are tiny vesicles that are released with cells, including cancer cells. Exosomas contain information about the cell that has selected them, including proteins, RNA and DNA.
Researchers study exosome as potential biomarkers for early cancer diagnosis. Exosomas can also be used to deliver drugs to cancer cells.
5.3. Liquid biopsy:
Liquid biopsy is a method of blood test for cancer cells or DNA of cancer cells. Liquid biopsy can be used for early cancer diagnosis to monitor the response to treatment and to detect relaxants of cancer.
6. Prospects and challenges:
New methods of cancer treatment offer significant prospects for improving the results of treatment and improving the quality of life of patients. However, there are serious challenges that must be overcome.
- High cost: Many new cancer treatment methods are very expensive, which makes them inaccessible to many patients. It is necessary to develop strategies for reducing the cost of these treatment methods.
- Side effects: Some new cancer treatment methods can cause serious side effects. It is necessary to develop ways to reduce these side effects.
- Sustainability: Cancer cells can develop resistance to new treatment methods. It is necessary to develop new methods of treatment that can overcome resistance to drugs.
- Personalization of treatment: Each patient is unique, and his cancer is also unique. It is necessary to develop treatment methods that will be adapted to the individual needs of each patient.
Despite these challenges, progress in the development of new methods of cancer treatment continues at a rapid pace. In the future, we can expect the appearance of new and more effective methods of cancer treatment, which will improve treatment results and increase the quality of life of patients.
7. The importance of clinical trials:
Clinical trials play a decisive role in the development and evaluation of new cancer treatment methods. They allow researchers to determine whether new methods of treatment are safe and effective. Patients involved in clinical trials can access the most modern cancer treatment methods that are not yet available to the general public. Participation in clinical trials can benefit not only to patients themselves, but also to future generations, helping to improve cancer treatment.
8. The role of the patient in decision -making:
It is important that patients with cancer actively participate in decision -making about their treatment. Patients should discuss with their doctors all possible treatment options, including new cancer treatment methods. They must ask questions and receive all the necessary information to make a conscious choice. An independent study of cancer information and accessible treatment methods can also help patients feel more confident and control the situation.
9. Support for patients and their families:
The diagnosis of cancer can be very difficult for patients and their families. It is important that patients and their families receive support from doctors, nurses, psychologists and other specialists. There are also numerous organizations that offer support to patients with cancer and their families. This support may include emotional support, educational resources and financial assistance.
10. Cancer prevention:
Although new cancer treatment methods are important, cancer prevention is even more important. Many types of cancer can be prevented by leading a healthy lifestyle, avoiding tobacco, observing a healthy diet, regularly engaged in physical exercises and undergoing regular examinations for cancer. Investments in cancer prevention can significantly reduce the incidence and mortality from cancer.
11. Future of cancer treatment:
The future treatment of cancer looks promising. The development of new technologies and deepening the understanding of cancer biology can develop new and more effective treatment methods. In the future, cancer treatment will probably become more personalized, taking into account the individual characteristics of each patient and his cancer. It can also be expected that cancer prevention will become more effective, which will reduce the incidence and mortality from cancer.
12. The role of artificial intelligence (AI) in oncology:
Artificial intelligence (AI) plays an increasingly important role in oncology, covering a wide range of applications, from early diagnosis to personalized treatment.
12.1. Diagnostics using AI: AI can analyze medical images (x -rays, CT, MRI, histological slides) to identify signs of cancer with high accuracy, often superior to human. Machine learning algorithms are trained at large data sets to recognize thin patterns that can be missed by doctors.
12.2. Planning treatment with AI: AI can help in planning radiation therapy, optimizing a dose of radiation and minimizing damage to healthy tissues. It can also predict the response to chemotherapy based on the patient’s genetic and clinical data, helping doctors choose the most effective treatment regimen.
12.3. Opening drugs with AI: AI accelerates the process of opening drugs, analyzing huge amounts of data about genes, proteins and molecules to identify potential goals for drugs and predict the effectiveness of new compounds.
12.4. Support for decision -making with AI: AI can provide doctors with information and recommendations based on the analysis of the patient and medical literature, helping them make more reasonable decisions on treatment.
13. The value of the multidisciplinary approach:
Modern treatment of cancer requires a multidisciplinary approach that combines the efforts of doctors of different specialties (oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, pathologists), as well as nurses, psychologists, social workers and other specialists. This approach allows us to provide comprehensive treatment, taking into account all aspects of the disease and the patient’s needs.
14. Ethical aspects of new cancer treatment methods:
The development and application of new cancer treatment methods raise important ethical issues, such as:
- Accessibility: How to ensure the availability of new treatment methods for all patients, regardless of their financial situation?
- Safety: How to ensure the safety of new methods of treatment, especially in the context of clinical trials?
- Informed consent: How to ensure that patients are fully informed about the risks and advantages of new treatment methods before giving consent to participate in clinical trials?
- Resource distribution: How is it fair to distribute resources to the development and implementation of new cancer treatment methods?
These issues require serious discussion and decision -making that will be based on the principles of justice, respect for the autonomy of patients and the desire to improve public health.
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16. Recommendations (do not include)
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