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Update on targeted cancer therapies, single or in combination, and their fine tuning for precision medicine
Sara S Bashraheel1, Alexander Domling2, Sayed K Goda3
1Protein Engineering Unit, Life and Science Research Department, Anti-Doping Lab-Qatar (ADLQ), Doha, Qatar; Drug Design Group, Department of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.
Background:
Until recently, patients who have the same type and stage of cancer all receive the same treatment. It has been established, however, that individuals with the same disease respond differently to the same therapy. Further, each tumor undergoes genetic changes that cause cancer to grow and metastasize. The changes that occur in one person's cancer may not occur in others with the same cancer type. These differences also lead to different responses to treatment. Precision medicine, also known as personalized medicine, is a strategy that allows the selection of a treatment based on the patient's genetic makeup. In the case of cancer, the treatment is tailored to take into account the genetic changes that may occur in an individual's tumor. Precision medicine, therefore, could be defined in terms of the targets involved in targeted therapy.
Methods:
A literature search in electronic data bases using keywords "cancer targeted therapy, personalized medicine and cancer combination therapies" was conducted to include papers from 2010 to June 2019.
Results:
Recent developments in strategies of targeted cancer therapy were reported. Specifically, on the two types of targeted therapy; first, immune-based therapy such as the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), immune cytokines, tumor-targeted superantigens (TTS) and ligand targeted therapeutics (LTTs). The second strategy deals with enzyme/small molecules-based therapies, such as the use of a proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC), antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) and antibody-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (ADEPT). The precise targeting of the drug to the gene or protein under attack was also investigated, in other words, how precision medicine can be used to tailor treatments.
Conclusion:
The conventional therapeutic paradigm for cancer and other diseases has focused on a single type of intervention for all patients. However, a large literature in oncology supports the therapeutic benefits of a precision medicine approach to therapy as well as combination therapies.
Insights
Precision medicine tailors cancer treatment to individual genetic profiles, moving beyond one-size-fits-all approaches. This personalized strategy enhances targeted therapies and combination treatments for better patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genetics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cancer treatment traditionally uses a uniform approach for patients with similar disease types and stages.
- Individual responses to cancer therapy vary due to genetic differences and tumor-specific mutations.
- Precision medicine, or personalized medicine, customizes treatment based on a patient's genetic makeup and tumor characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in targeted cancer therapy and precision medicine strategies.
- To explore how genetic profiling influences the selection of cancer treatments.
- To highlight the benefits of personalized and combination therapies in oncology.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a literature search of electronic databases from 2010 to June 2019.
- Utilized keywords: "cancer targeted therapy," "personalized medicine," and "cancer combination therapies."
Main Results:
- Identified two main categories of targeted cancer therapies: immune-based and enzyme/small molecule-based.
- Immune-based therapies include immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and others.
- Enzyme/small molecule-based therapies include proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).
Conclusions:
- The conventional, single-intervention cancer treatment paradigm is evolving.
- Evidence supports the therapeutic advantages of precision medicine and combination therapies in oncology.
- Tailoring treatments to individual genetic profiles is crucial for effective cancer care.
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