Anti-cancer drugs, often known as anticancer or antineoplastic drugs, are pharmaceuticals that prevent or eliminate the growth and spread of cancer cells. These medications are critical in cancer treatment, either as solo therapies or in combination with other treatment options such as surgery, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy. Cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents are a prominent class of anticancer medicines. These medications interrupt the cell cycle and interfere with DNA synthesis or replication. Antimetabolites, platinum-based medicines, and taxanes are some examples. Taxanes, such as paclitaxel and docetaxel, stabilize microtubules within the cell, limiting normal cell division. Platinum-based medicines, such as cisplatin and carboplatin, cause DNA crosslinks, impairing the cell's capacity to replicate. Antimetabolites such as methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil imitate DNA or RNA building blocks, limiting synthesis and slowing cancer cell development. Targeted therapies are another type of anti-cancer medicine that targets specific chemicals or pathways involved in cancer progression. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), including imatinib and erlotinib, target specific proteins implicated in signaling pathways that promote cancer cell proliferation. Monoclonal antibodies, such as trastuzumab and rituximab, attach to specific proteins on cancer cell surfaces, signaling the immune system to destroy the cells. Immunotherapy has emerged as a groundbreaking approach to cancer treatment. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab, inhibit proteins that suppress the immune system, allowing the body's natural defenses to fight cancer cells. CAR-T cell therapy includes genetically altering a patient's T cells to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), which target and kill cancer cells. Hormone treatment is used to treat hormone-sensitive malignancies, such as breast and prostate cancer. Tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors disrupt the hormonal signals that fuel cancer growth. Despite their therapeutic benefits, anti-cancer medications frequently cause side effects. Cytotoxic chemotherapy may produce nausea, hair loss, and immune suppression, whereas targeted therapies and immunotherapy may result in immunological-related side effects. Finally, the development of anti-cancer medications has greatly improved cancer therapy possibilities. Ongoing research seeks to uncover new targets and improve therapeutic efficacy while reducing adverse effects, opening the door for more tailored and effective cancer treatments.
