Recent advancement in targeted therapy and role of emerging technologies to treat cancer

Med Oncol. 2023 Oct 7;40(11):324. doi: 10.1007/s12032-023-02184-6.

Abstract

Cancer is a complex disease that causes abnormal cell growth and spread. DNA mutations, chemical or environmental exposure, viral infections, chronic inflammation, hormone abnormalities, etc., are underlying factors that can cause cancer. Drug resistance and toxicity complicate cancer treatment. Additionally, the variability of cancer makes it difficult to establish universal treatment guidelines. Next-generation sequencing has made genetic testing inexpensive. This uncovers genetic mutations that can be treated with specialty drugs. AI (artificial intelligence), machine learning, biopsy, next-generation sequencing, and digital pathology provide personalized cancer treatment. This allows for patient-specific biological targets and cancer treatment. Monoclonal antibodies, CAR-T, and cancer vaccines are promising cancer treatments. Recent trial data incorporating these therapies have shown superiority in clinical outcomes and drug tolerability over conventional chemotherapies. Combinations of these therapies with new technology can change cancer treatment and help many. This review discusses the development and challenges of targeted therapies like monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), bispecific antibodies (BsAbs), bispecific T cell engagers (BiTEs), dual variable domain (DVD) antibodies, CAR-T therapy, cancer vaccines, oncolytic viruses, lipid nanoparticle-based mRNA cancer vaccines, and their clinical outcomes in various cancers. We will also study how artificial intelligence and machine learning help find new cancer treatment targets.

Keywords: Amivantamab; Artificial intelligence in drug discovery; Axicabtagene ciloleucel; CAR-T; Sacituzumab Govitecan; Sipuleucel-T; Talimogene laherparepvec; Targeted therapy; mRNA-lipoplex nanoparticles.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Cancer Vaccines*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Receptors, Chimeric Antigen*

Substances

  • Cancer Vaccines
  • Receptors, Chimeric Antigen
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal