In the 21st century, technology has transformed every aspect of life – from smartphones connecting the world, to social media reshaping communication, to AI revolutionizing industries. Cancer treatment has undergone its own shift: from chemotherapies to precise monoclonal therapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapies.
These advances enable scientists to tailor studies to specific cancer types, improving outcomes with fewer side effects.
So what are the latest advances in cancer treatment?
Traditional treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation have been the primary treatment methods for many years.
Although these treatments might be effective, high-energy rays and strong drugs used during the procedure caused several side effects, such as fatigue, nausea, hair loss, weakened immune system, nerve damage, bruising, and bleeding.
In recent years, more specialized therapies have been developed to treat cancer with greater precision and fewer side effects.
Common key therapies used in cancer treatment are:
1. Monoclonal antibodies:
These are lab-made molecules that target a specific protein present on cancer cells and help the immune system kill them. These antibodies, such as the anti-CD44 antibody, are designed to target proteins associated with cancer growth.
How researchers developed this therapy:
ELISA kit: Scientists use this to check the CD44 level in blood or a sample.
IHC (Immunohistochemistry): This technique allows scientists to examine tissue samples and see if CD44 sticks to cancer cells.
FCB (Flow Cytometry): This technique helps count how many cancer cells bind with the anti-CD44 antibody.
2. Immunotherapy:
In immunotherapy, the body's immune system fights against cancer by training it to recognize and attack cancer cells. It has become a significant treatment method for cancers like melanoma (skin) and lung cancer.
How researchers developed this therapy:
IHC (Immunohistochemistry): This technique is used to detect immune checkpoint markers (like PD-L1) in tumor tissues and helps researchers understand how immunotherapies will work on different tumours.
FCM (Flow cytometry): Researchers use this technique to assess the immune cell activity and the response to immunotherapy.
3. Targeted therapy:
This therapy targets a specific molecule (weak points) involved in the growth of cancer cells. They block those signals without affecting the healthy cells, unlike traditional treatment.
How researchers developed this therapy:
ELISA kit: This helps measure the protein level in the sample to check if the target protein is affected by the therapy.
IHC (Immunohistochemistry): This technique is used to study the cell surface marker and study how targeted therapy is affecting its target on the cancer cells.
FCB (Flow cytometry): This technique is used to study the response of the cancer cell to the therapy and to check the cell behavior.
How do targeted therapies impact cancer treatment?
Traditional treatment, like chemo, radiation, and surgery, worked well but caused side effects.
The new shift brought precise and personal therapies that focus directly on the cancer cells.
Monoclonal antibodies target cancer cells, Immunotherapy boosts the immune attack, and Targeted therapy blocks cancer growth.
This research improved the treatment methods, a more site-focused approach, and contains fewer side effects.
Final thought
Cancer treatment has made tremendous progress in recent years. Researchers are developing treatments tailored to the patient's needs, making them more personalized.
By using tools like the ELISA Kits, monoclonal antibodies, and IHC, researchers are developing more focused treatments and providing a new hope to cancer patients.
Source: Azo Life Sciences
In the 21st century, technology has transformed every aspect of life.
