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How cancer could be cured by 2015
1Brander Cancer Research Institute, New York Medical College, Hawthorne, New York 10532, USA. Blagosklonny@hotmail.com
Abstract:
As announced by Andrew von Eschenbach, the NCI has set the goal of eliminating suffering and death due to cancer by 2015. Supporting this prediction, I discuss that cancer might be controlled and even cured by combining three potential therapeutic strategies aimed at (i) cancer-specific targets, (ii) universally-vital targets with selective protection of normal cells (the selective combinations) and (iii) tissue-specific targets. Although (i) targeting cancer-specific pathways (e.g., by imatinib and gefitinib) is probable, it alone will not be sufficient to control cancer. This strategy is limited to oncogene (kinase)-dependent cancers and is further limited by therapy-induced resistance and tumor progression. Thus, targeting cancer-specific pathways needs to be complemented by two divergent therapeutic strategies: (ii) selective combinations and (iii) tissue-selective therapy. With selective protection of normal cells (based on cell cycle and apoptosis manipulation), combinations of selective and chemotherapeutic drugs can be effective in most common cancers. Alternatively, tissue-selective therapy can suppress cancer cells in a tissue-selective manner, sparing other tissues. While alone, each therapeutic strategy may cause drug resistance and even tumor progression; these obstacles can be overcome and even exploited by using all three strategies in sequence. And finally, these strategies will benefit from molecular diagnostics and can be used for chemoprevention.
Insights
Combining three cancer therapies—targeting specific pathways, selective combinations, and tissue-selective approaches—may control and cure cancer. This integrated strategy aims to overcome drug resistance and tumor progression for better cancer treatment outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Therapeutics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The National Cancer Institute (NCI) aims to eliminate cancer suffering and death.
- Current cancer therapies targeting specific pathways show limitations, including resistance and progression.
- A comprehensive approach is needed to overcome these limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a combined therapeutic strategy for controlling and potentially curing cancer.
- To explore the integration of three distinct therapeutic approaches.
- To address limitations of current cancer treatments.
Main Methods:
- Discusses three therapeutic strategies: (i) cancer-specific targets, (ii) selective combinations with normal cell protection, and (iii) tissue-specific targets.
- Highlights the necessity of combining these strategies to overcome drug resistance and tumor progression.
- Mentions the role of molecular diagnostics and chemoprevention.
Main Results:
- Targeting cancer-specific pathways alone is insufficient due to resistance and tumor progression.
- Combining cancer-specific, selective, and tissue-specific therapies can overcome treatment obstacles.
- Sequential application of all three strategies can exploit resistance mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- A multi-pronged therapeutic approach integrating cancer-specific, selective, and tissue-specific strategies offers a promising path to cancer control and cure.
- Selective protection of normal cells and tissue-specific targeting are crucial complements to pathway-specific therapies.
- Molecular diagnostics and chemoprevention can enhance the efficacy of these combined strategies.
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