Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Nanoparticle Delivery of an Oligonucleotide Payload in a Glioblastoma Multiforme Animal Model
09:02

Nanoparticle Delivery of an Oligonucleotide Payload in a Glioblastoma Multiforme Animal Model

Published on: September 27, 2024

Targeted therapy for neuro-oncology: reviewing the menu

Lois A Lampson1

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. lampson@rics.bwh.harvard.edu

Drug Discovery Today
|December 10, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Targeted cancer therapies face challenges due to tumor complexity and unexpected effects. The immune system offers insights into overcoming these limitations for improved treatment strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Targeted cancer therapies offer promise but have inherent limitations.
  • Tumor heterogeneity and plasticity allow cancer cells to evade treatments.
  • Local regulatory factors and delivery challenges, especially in the brain, impede therapeutic efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the limitations of current targeted cancer therapies.
  • To investigate the role of tumor characteristics in treatment resistance.
  • To identify potential solutions by examining precedents in the immune response.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on targeted cancer therapies.
  • Analysis of tumor biology, including heterogeneity and plasticity.
  • Examination of the immune system as a model for targeted attack and evasion.

Main Results:

  • Targeted agents can have off-target effects and unexpected consequences.
  • Tumors can adapt and develop resistance mechanisms to targeted treatments.
  • The brain presents unique challenges for drug delivery and achieving widespread efficacy.

Conclusions:

  • Overcoming limitations in targeted cancer therapy requires addressing tumor complexity and delivery issues.
  • The principles of immune response offer valuable insights for developing more effective cancer treatments.
  • Future strategies may leverage immunological approaches to enhance targeted therapy outcomes.

More Related Videos

Modeling Brain Metastasis by Internal Carotid Artery Injection of Cancer Cells10:01

Modeling Brain Metastasis by Internal Carotid Artery Injection of Cancer Cells

Published on: August 2, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
Treatment Resistent Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistent Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...