In recent years, cancer research has made significant strides against diverse forms of the disease. These include- immunotherapy, precision medicine, CAR-T cell therapy etc. As researchers and clinicians collaborate, the future promises more effective, personalised, and less invasive treatments, bringing us closer to a world where cancer is not only treatable but ultimately preventable.
Dr Tapan Singh Chauhan, Senior Consultant, Surgical Oncology, Robotics at Artemis Hospital, Gurugram takes us through some of these cutting-edge therapies.
February is observed as cancer awareness month.
Q: What is immunotherapy which is considered a revolutionary approach to cancer treatment?
Immunotherapy leverages the body’s immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. Checkpoint inhibitors (which prevent the body’s immune system from switching off) such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab, have shown tremendous success in treating various cancers, including melanoma (skin cancer) and lung cancer. Ongoing research focuses on developing personalised immunotherapies tailored to an individual’s immune profile, enhancing effectiveness and minimising side effects.
Q: What are the recent advances in CAR-T cell therapy which has been around for a while now?
In Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy (CAR-T) a patient’s T-cells are genetically modified to express receptors targeting specific cancer cells. Exemplified by therapies like Kymriah and Yescarta, CAR-T has exhibited remarkable success in treating various blood cancers. Research is now focused on broadening CAR-T applications to solid tumors and at enhancing the safety profile of the therapy.
Q: What about precision medicine that tailors treatment based on genetic profiles?
Precision medicine enables the customisation of treatment plans, thus optimising therapeutic outcomes. Targeted therapies, exemplified by PARP inhibitors (a type of cancer drug) in breast and ovarian cancers, exploit specific genetic vulnerabilities within cancer cells, showcasing the precision achievable through understanding molecular intricacies. Ongoing research is dedicated to identifying novel biomarkers, unraveling additional genetic insights, and expanding the repertoire of targeted therapies across a broader spectrum of cancers.
Q: What about advances in cancer diagnostics?
Liquid biopsies analyse the circulating tumor DNA present in the blood. This non-invasive method offers an unprecedented opportunity for early cancer detection and the ongoing monitoring of treatment responses. By detecting minute traces of tumor DNA, liquid biopsies enable physicians to identify cancer at its nascent stages, when interventions are most effective. The continuous refinement of the sensitivity and specificity of liquid biopsy techniques is a focal point of current research.
Q: Are there advancements for treatments at the molecular level too?
RNA therapeutics, encompassing small interfering RNA (siRNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA) therapies, present a groundbreaking avenue for disrupting cancer at the molecular level. This innovative approach enables the targeting of specific genes crucial to cancer growth, offering a more precise and potentially more effective treatment. By intervening at the genetic level, RNA therapeutics hold the promise of tailored interventions that address the unique molecular signatures of individual cancers. Ongoing studies are diligently investigating the safety and efficacy of these RNA-based therapies across diverse cancer types.
(RNA is a molecule necessary for most biological functions)
Q: What about therapies dedicated to specific cancers?
Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a promising strategy for combating abdominal cancers like ovarian and colorectal cancer. This approach entails administering heated chemotherapy directly into the abdominal cavity during surgery, providing a localised and intensified treatment. Ongoing research is dedicated to refining patient selection criteria, ensuring that individuals who stand to benefit the most are identified, and optimising treatment protocols. The goal is to broaden the applicability of HIPEC, making it a more widely adopted and effective intervention for abdominal cancers.
Q: What are the advances in nanotechnology?
Nanotechnology is groundbreaking, particularly, in precision drug delivery to cancer cells, significantly improving the effectiveness of chemotherapy. This targeted approach minimises collateral damage to healthy tissues, reducing the often severe side effects associated with traditional treatments. Ongoing research in this field focuses on the development of smart nanoparticles designed to respond to specific tumor characteristics. These intelligent carriers have the potential to optimise treatment outcomes by adapting to the unique biology of each patient’s cancer. This will lead to more efficient, less invasive, and personalised therapeutic strategies.
