Targeting Cancer: Breakthroughs in Chemotherapy & Beyond

Written by Rosemary Osuoha, B.Pharm
Last updated on February 18, 2025

Medically Reviewed By: Oladeji Robert B.Pharm, MPSN

Edited By: Ugwuleke Clement B.Pharm, MPSN

Chemotherapeutic agents, also known as anticancer drugs, are a group of powerful medications used to destroy or inhibit the growth of cancer cells. These drugs are a cornerstone of cancer treatment and may be used alone or in combination with other therapies, such as surgery, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. The ultimate goal is to eliminate cancer from the body, reduce the size of tumors, or control the spread of disease.

Major Classes of Chemotherapeutic Agents

Role in Cancer Treatment

Chemotherapy plays various roles depending on the type, stage, and location of the cancer:

• Curative Treatment: Aims to eliminate all cancer cells and cure the patient.
• Adjuvant Therapy: Used after surgery or radiation to kill residual cancer cells.
• Neoadjuvant Therapy: Administered before surgery to shrink the tumor, making it easier to remove.
• Palliative Chemotherapy: Helps relieve symptoms and improve quality of life when cure is not possible.
• Combination Therapy: Often combined with other treatments like targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or radiation for enhanced effect.

Chemotherapy is usually delivered systemically through the bloodstream, but it can also be administered locally, depending on the location of the cancer (e.g., intrathecal for brain tumors, intraperitoneal for abdominal cancers).

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When Are Anticancer Drugs Used?

• Primary Treatment: In some cancers, chemotherapy is the main treatment used to destroy cancer cells, especially in blood cancers like leukemia or lymphoma.
• Adjuvant Therapy: Anticancer drugs are used after surgery or radiation to eliminate any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence.
• Neoadjuvant Therapy: Drugs are given before surgery to shrink tumors, making them easier to remove and increasing the success rate of the operation.
• Palliative Treatment: When a cure is not possible, anticancer drugs help control symptoms, slow the progression of the disease, and improve quality of life.
• Combination Therapy: Chemotherapy is often combined with other therapies like radiation, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy to enhance effectiveness.
• Metastatic Disease: When cancer has spread to other parts of the body, systemic anticancer drugs are used to manage and control its growth throughout the body.

Symptoms of Cancer

• Unexplained Weight Loss: Significant loss of body weight without trying could be an early sign of cancer.
• Persistent Fatigue: Ongoing tiredness that doesn't improve with rest may indicate an underlying issue.
• Fever or Night Sweats: Frequent fevers or sweating at night can be a sign of blood cancers like leukemia or lymphoma.
• Changes in Skin: New or changing moles, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or darkened areas can signal skin or internal cancers.
• Pain That Doesn’t Go Away: Chronic pain, especially if unexplained, should be evaluated by a doctor.
• Unusual Bleeding or Discharge: Includes coughing up blood, bloody stool or urine, or unusual vaginal bleeding.
• Changes in Bowel or Bladder Habits: Long-term constipation, diarrhea, or changes in urination patterns may be linked to colorectal or bladder cancer.
• Lumps or Thickening: Any new lump in the breast, testicle, or elsewhere should be checked.
• Difficulty Swallowing or Persistent Hoarseness: May indicate cancers of the throat, esophagus, or lungs.

When to Visit the Hospital

• If symptoms persist: Any of the above symptoms lasting more than a couple of weeks should prompt a medical evaluation.
• Sudden, severe symptoms: Such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, seizures, or severe bleeding require immediate medical attention.
• If you have a cancer diagnosis: New symptoms or worsening side effects during treatment should be reported to your healthcare provider immediately.
• Family history of cancer: If multiple family members have had cancer, consult a doctor about screening and genetic testing.
• Post-treatment monitoring: Regular follow-up is crucial to catch any recurrence early and monitor for side effects of therapy.

How Do Cancer Drugs Work?

Cancer drugs work by targeting and disrupting the processes that cancer cells use to grow and multiply. These drugs are designed to attack rapidly dividing cells, a key characteristic of cancer. Different types of anticancer drugs use various mechanisms to achieve this effect:

• DNA Damage: Some drugs, like alkylating agents, bind to and damage DNA, preventing the cancer cells from replicating and causing them to die.
• Inhibiting Cell Division: Plant alkaloids and topoisomerase inhibitors block mitosis or the enzymes that help DNA unwind, halting cell division.
• Blocking Cell Growth Signals: Targeted therapies interfere with specific proteins or genes (like HER2 or EGFR) that promote cancer cell growth.
• Cutting Off Blood Supply: Some drugs inhibit angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels), starving tumors of nutrients and oxygen.
• Stimulating the Immune System: Immunotherapies help the body’s immune system recognize and destroy cancer cells more effectively.
• Hormone Suppression: Hormonal agents reduce hormone levels or block hormone receptors in cancers that depend on hormones to grow (e.g., breast or prostate cancer).

Because cancer cells often divide faster than normal cells, they are more susceptible to these attacks. However, some healthy cells that also divide rapidly (like those in bone marrow, hair follicles, and the digestive tract) may be affected as well, leading to common side effects of treatment.

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