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Drug Development Against Metastatic Cancers
1Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL.
Abstract:
While combinational diagnostic and treatment strategies over the past decades have significantly improved the overall survival of cancer patients, metastatic cancer remains a leading cause of death in developed countries. The lack of successful treatment strategies for the disease is in large part due to the complexity of the metastatic transformation, which embodies extensive cellular and extracellular alterations, enabling metastatic cancer cells to reach and colonize other organs. The mode of action for the majority of anti-cancer drugs used in clinics today is primarily tumor growth inhibition. While they are effective in destroying cancer cells, they fall short in blocking metastasis. Here we discuss the evolution of past and current anti-cancer drug development, the limits of current strategies, and possible alternative approaches for future drug development against metastatic cancers.
Insights
Metastatic cancer, a major cause of cancer death, requires new treatments beyond tumor growth inhibition. This review explores past, current, and future anti-cancer drug development strategies to combat cancer metastasis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Metastasis Research
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Despite advances in cancer diagnostics and treatments, metastatic cancer remains a primary cause of mortality.
- The complexity of metastatic transformation, involving cellular and extracellular changes, hinders effective treatment.
- Current anti-cancer drugs primarily inhibit tumor growth, but are insufficient to block metastasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the historical and current landscape of anti-cancer drug development.
- To identify the limitations of existing therapeutic strategies against metastatic cancer.
- To explore alternative approaches for future anti-cancer drug development targeting metastasis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of past and current anti-cancer drug development strategies.
- Analysis of the mechanisms of metastatic transformation.
- Discussion of the efficacy and limitations of current treatments.
Main Results:
- Established anti-cancer drugs are largely ineffective at preventing or treating cancer metastasis.
- The complexity of metastasis necessitates novel therapeutic targets and strategies.
- Current drug development focuses on tumor growth inhibition, neglecting the metastatic process.
Conclusions:
- There is a critical need for novel therapeutic strategies to effectively combat cancer metastasis.
- Future drug development should focus on targeting the mechanisms of metastasis, not just tumor growth.
- Exploring alternative approaches is essential for improving survival rates in metastatic cancer patients.