Phage therapy and its role in cancer treatment and control

Cancer is very dangerous and has a high death rate around the world. This rate is expected to rise even more in the next few years. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are two examples of current treatment choices. However, they have some problems, such as side effects, being less effective overall, being expensive, and not being widely available. A rising demand exists for alternative therapies that can specifically target cancer cells while minimizing adverse effects. Phage has a dual function as both a diagnostic and therapeutic instrument. This phage has the potential to serve as a suitable recombinant medicine, potentially replacing current labor-intensive, high-capital therapies that often lead to failure or severe adverse effects. Identifying tumor-homing peptides constitutes one of the most substantial hurdles. This therapeutic approach is crucial in tumor treatment, demonstrating remarkable precision and efficacy regardless of the target site. Phages, which target bacteria but not eukaryotic cells, have arisen as viable cancer therapies owing to their distinctive attributes, such as selectivity and simplicity of genetic modification. Engineered phages have the potential to revolutionize cancer therapy by selectively targeting malignant cells while preserving healthy ones. Bacteriophages are presently utilized extensively in several fields of science and medicine, with cancer therapy being the most compelling application. While challenges remain, especially in identifying the most effective tumor-targeting peptides, research increasingly supports the safety and effectiveness of phage-based therapies in cancer treatment. This review highlights recent progress and ongoing challenges in the use of phage therapy for cancer.