What Are Anti-Cancer Medicines and How Do They Work?
Cancer is a complex and multifaceted disease that has challenged medical science for centuries. Over the years, significant progress has been made in the development of anti-cancer medicines, which aim to treat, manage, or even cure various forms of cancer. Let’s take a closer look at what these medicines are and how they work.
What Are Anti-Cancer Medicines?
Anti-cancer medicines, also known as oncology drugs or chemotherapeutics, are treatments specifically designed to combat cancer cells in the body. These medicines can take various forms, including pills, injections, or intravenous infusions, and they are often used in combination with other treatments such as surgery, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy.
Broadly speaking, anti-cancer drugs can be classified into several categories based on how they work and their specific targets in the body. These include:
-
Chemotherapy
-
Targeted therapy
-
Immunotherapy
-
Hormone therapy
-
Supportive care drugs
Each type of medicine plays a unique role in addressing the disease and improving the quality of life for patients.
How Do They Work?
1. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs that kill rapidly dividing cells. Since cancer cells divide and grow uncontrollably, these drugs disrupt their ability to multiply and spread. However, chemotherapy can also affect healthy cells that divide quickly, such as those in hair follicles or the digestive tract, leading to common side effects like hair loss or nausea.
2. Targeted Therapy
Unlike chemotherapy, targeted therapies are designed to specifically attack certain molecules or pathways essential for cancer cell growth and survival. For example, some drugs inhibit proteins or genes that are overactive in cancer cells. This precision reduces harm to healthy cells, making targeted therapy more effective and often less toxic.
3. Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy harnesses the power of the body’s immune system to fight cancer. These drugs may help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells or enhance the immune response. Examples include immune checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T cell therapy.
4. Hormone Therapy
Certain types of cancer, such as breast or prostate cancer, are fueled by hormones. Hormone therapy blocks or lowers the levels of these hormones in the body, slowing down or stopping cancer growth.
5. Supportive Care Drugs
While not directly combating cancer, supportive care medicines manage the side effects of cancer and its treatment, such as pain, nausea, or anemia, improving the patient’s overall comfort and resilience.
The Future of Anti-Cancer Medicines
The field of oncology is constantly evolving, with research paving the way for novel treatments. Advances in genetic and molecular understanding of cancer are driving innovations like precision medicine, which tailors treatment to an individual’s genetic makeup. Additionally, breakthroughs in nanotechnology and combination therapies hold promise for improving outcomes further.
At NeXtGen Biotech, we provide same-day delivery of anti-cancer medicines in Delhi, ensuring timely access to the medications you need. Contact us to learn more.
