Advances In Cancer Research
Cancer Genomics
Studying cancer genomes reveals the abnormalities that drive the development and growth of cancer. This information has improved our understanding of the biology of cancer and led to new methods of diagnosing and treating the disease. Genome studies are being used in precision medicine, which is an individualized approach to treatment that could dramatically improve survival.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that boosts the body’s natural defenses to fight cancer. It uses substances made by the body (i.e. T cells) and in the laboratory to improve or restore the immune system functioning by stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells, preventing cancer from spreading, or helping the immune system to work better at destroying cancer cells. Types of immunotherapy include T-cell therapy, oncolytic virotherapy, and cancer vaccines.
Molecular Targeted Therapy
While traditional chemotherapy destroys ALL rapidly dividing normal and cancerous cells, targeted therapies act on specific molecular targets that are associated with cancer. Molecularly targeted therapies block the growth and spread of cancer by interfering with specific molecules (“molecular targets”) that are involved in the growth and spread of cancer. These substances are can be small molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, or antibody-drug conjugates.
