Title:Potential Alternatives to Conventional Cancer Therapeutic Approaches: The Way Forward
Volume: 22
Issue: 9
Author(s): Muddasarul Hoda*
Affiliation:
- Department of Biological Sciences, Aliah University, IIA/27-Newtown, Kolkata 700160,India
Keywords:
Cancer therapeutic technique, transcriptional modulation, oncolytic viruses, photodynamic therapy, nanomedicine,
suicide gene.
Abstract: Conventional cancer therapeutic approaches broadly include chemotherapy, radiation therapy
and surgery. These established approaches have evolved over several decades of clinical experience.
For a complex disease like cancer, satisfactory treatment remains an enigma for the simple fact
that the causal factors for cancer are extremely diverse. In order to overcome existing therapeutic limitations,
consistent scientific endeavors have evolved several potential therapeutic approaches, majority
of which focuses essentially on targeted drug delivery, minimal concomitant ramification, and selective
high cytotoxicity. The current review focuses on highlighting some of these potential alternatives
that are currently in various stages of in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials. These include physical, chemical
and biological entities that are avidly being explored for therapeutic alternatives. Some of these entities
include suicide gene, micro RNA, modulatory peptides, ultrasonic waves, free radicals, nanoparticles,
phytochemicals, and gene knockout, and stem cells. Each of these techniques may be exploited
exclusively and in combination with conventional therapeutic approaches thereby enhancing the therapeutic
efficacy of the treatment. The review intends to briefly discuss the mechanism of action, pros,
and cons of potential alternatives to conventional therapeutic approaches.
