Question

You are an immunologist interested in developing new cancer drugs. What might you consider using to target chemotherapeutic agents directly to cancer cells?

Answer 1

Generally the DNA of the cells contains genes which codes for proteins and these proteins maintain the whole metabolic processes of the cell. But when there is any change in the constituent of the gene, the protein secreted by them also changes and hence the function of the cell. In some cases the changing in the structure of gene also known as mutation results in the abnormal division or growth of the cells and they form tumor which is called as cancer.

Chemotherapeutic agents are nothing but the drugs which are made chemically to kill the cancerous cells or to suppress the growth of the cells. Now a days targeted therapy is using for cancer treatment in which the drugs are used directly to the cancer cells. It is also a type of chemotherapeutic like treatment as drugs are used in this process, but in the targeted therapy the drugs acts directly only upon the cancer cells forgiving the normal cells.

Things to be known for using target chemotherapeutic agents directly to cancer cells

As we know from the above discussion the following factors may result in the cancer

1. change in gene i.e. mutation

2. changed protein synthesis

3. tissue environment which contributes to the growth and survival of the cancerous cells.

4. other factors relating to the development of cancer.

So after knowing these above things about the cancerous cells and after estimating that which factor can be controlled easily to get cure from cancer we can use the target chemotherapeutic agents directly to the cancer cells.

For example 40 % of the colorectal cancer have been found to be caused due to a gene called KRAS which is responsible for the growth and development of the cancer cells. But in such cases the targeted therapies like cetuximab (Erbitux) and panitumumab (Vectibix) are not effective. So if doctor will know the type of cancer (cause of cancer i.e. which gene has caused cancer) than it will be easy for them to prescribe drugs.

Also after knowing the cause and type of cancer generally 2 types of targeted chemotherapeutic agents are used

1.Monoclonal antibodies : These help in surrounding the environment of the cancer tissue and hence cut off the factors responsible for its growth. also these send toxic signals which kills the cancerous cells.

2.Small molecule drugs : These acts as angiogenesis inhibitors i.e. don't allow the formation of blood vessels near the cancer cells and blocking the path of the nutrients to the cancer cells.

So after diagnosing that which factors are responsible for the cancer and which type of agent or drug is suitable for the treatment of cancer, the doctor can use the target chemotherapeutic agents directly to the cancer cells.