Jove
Visualize
Contact Us

Related Concept Videos

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...
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
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...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Health literacy, nutrition, complementary medicine and their associations with life satisfaction in cancer patients: a cross-sectional study.

BMC cancer·2026
Same author

Diverse clinical manifestations of Parvovirus B19 infections during the 2024 outbreak in Germany.

Infection·2025
Same author

Nutrition in cancer patients: analysis of the forum of women´s self-help association against cancer.

BMC nutrition·2025
Same author

Sense of coherence and its context with demographics, psychological aspects, lifestyle, complementary and alternative medicine and lay aetiology.

Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology·2023
Same author

Chemotherapy-induced polyneuropathy in cancer care-the patient perspective.

Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer·2023
Same author

[Complementary or alternative medicine in oncology : Chances or risks?]

Innere Medizin (Heidelberg, Germany)·2023
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 9, 2026

Network Pharmacology Prediction and Experimental Validation of Trichosanthes-Fritillaria thunbergii Action Mechanism Against Lung Adenocarcinoma
13:18

Network Pharmacology Prediction and Experimental Validation of Trichosanthes-Fritillaria thunbergii Action Mechanism Against Lung Adenocarcinoma

Published on: March 3, 2023

[Complementary and alternative medicine in oncology].

J Hübner1

  • 1Deutschen Krebsgesellschaft, Berlin.

Versicherungsmedizin
|August 10, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Complementary medicine aids cancer patients by increasing activity and reducing side effects, but requires oncologist management. Alternative medicine poses high risks due to unproven concepts and potential interactions with cancer treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Integrative Medicine
  • Evidence-Based Practice

Context:

  • Cancer patients frequently utilize complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).
  • CAM offers patients a sense of agency and can mitigate conventional therapy side effects.
  • Distinguishing between complementary and alternative medicine is crucial for patient safety.

Purpose:

  • To differentiate between complementary and alternative medicine.
  • To assess the risks and benefits of CAM modalities used by cancer patients.
  • To emphasize the importance of oncologist supervision for complementary therapies.

Summary:

  • Complementary therapies, when aligned with conventional oncology principles, can be studied and may reduce treatment side effects, empowering patients.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 9, 2026

Network Pharmacology Prediction and Experimental Validation of Trichosanthes-Fritillaria thunbergii Action Mechanism Against Lung Adenocarcinoma
13:18

Network Pharmacology Prediction and Experimental Validation of Trichosanthes-Fritillaria thunbergii Action Mechanism Against Lung Adenocarcinoma

Published on: March 3, 2023

  • Alternative medicine, often diverging from evidence-based principles and established cancerogenesis concepts, poses significant risks due to potential interactions and lack of scientific validation.
  • Oncologist management is essential for complementary therapies to ensure safety, efficacy, and avoid jeopardizing cancer treatment outcomes.

    • Impact:

    • Highlights the critical need for oncologists to guide complementary therapy choices.
    • Informs patients and clinicians about the evidence-based differences between complementary and alternative medicine.
    • Underscores the potential dangers of unverified alternative medicine in cancer care.