Cancer Biologics: The Forthcoming of Cancer Treatment

 

What are Cancer Biologics?

Biologics, also known as biological drugs, are medicines produced from living organisms using biotechnology. In oncology, biologics are designed to target specific molecules involved in cancer growth and progression. Unlike traditional chemotherapy that targets all rapidly dividing cells, biologics work with unprecedented precision to interfere only with cancer-promoting proteins or pathways. Some of the most common molecular targets for biologics include growth factors, growth factor receptors, regulatory molecules, immune checkpoint proteins and angiogenesis factors responsible for tumor blood supply.

Examples of widely used Cancer Biologics target HER2 protein in breast cancer, EGFR in lung cancer, BRAF and MEK in melanoma, CD20 in lymphomas and VEGF/VEGFR pathways that promote angiogenesis. Popular biologic drug classes in oncology include monoclonal antibodies, checkpoint inhibitors, antibody-drug conjugates and immune cell therapies. These novel agents have revolutionized the treatment of various cancers and achieved major breakthroughs once considered impossible.

Changing the Landscape of Cancer Care

Biologics are significantly improving outcomes for many previously difficult-to-treat cancers. For example, trastuzumab (Herceptin) in combination with chemotherapy has increased survival rates in HER2-positive breast cancer from 20 months to over 5 years. Cetuximab and panitumumab target EGFR to benefit some colon cancer patients who previously had limited treatment options. Advanced melanoma, once a virtual death sentence, can now be managed as a chronic disease with immunotherapies like pembrolizumab and nivolumab that activate the immune system.

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