There are several main types of cancer therapy, each with a unique mechanism of action:
Chemotherapy: This approach uses cytotoxic drugs to kill rapidly dividing cells. While effective at targeting cancer cells, it can also affect normal cells that divide quickly, leading to side effects. Radiation Therapy: This method uses high-energy radiation to damage the DNA of cancer cells, causing them to die or stop dividing. Immunotherapy: This treatment leverages the body's immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. It includes checkpoint inhibitors, which remove the brakes on the immune system, and CAR T-cell therapy, which involves engineering a patient's T cells to better target cancer. Targeted Therapy: This involves drugs designed to target specific molecular pathways crucial for cancer cell survival and growth. It often has fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy.
