Anticancer Agent Effect and Polychemotherapy Regimens for Malignant Tumor Treatment - A Review

Abstract

Cancer is a leading cause of millions of deaths worldwide and, despite the improvements in molecular biology, issues concerning how to advance cancer treatment are still relevant. Cancer research must be focused on finding new and efficient chemotherapeutic regimens that can relieve severe side effects caused by conventional treatments. Modern technologies are currently under estimation in clinical trials or have already been introduced into clinical practice. Nowadays cancer therapy is characterized by ineffectiveness and serious side effects, as well as by hope of remission and cure in many cases. Antitumor drugs and radiation have been used as the treatment of choice in some cancer cases, except for the choice of surgery in case of solid tumors. Recently, immunotherapy has emerged as a significant therapeutic alternative, and in many cases, it is the first choice. These therapies can be applied either alone or in combination with other agents. Additionally, gene treatment and nanotechnology are promising methods for cancer treatment as well. The current review presents the progress of cancer treatments, starting with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy, gene treatment and nanomedicine, giving emphasis to the most common anticancer agents and polychemotherapeutic regimens.