What is Smart Drug? What is its role in cancer treatment? What are its types?
The development of nanotechnology today, the detection of genetic mutations and some molecular changes make it possible to progress in a patient-centered manner in cancer treatment. Smart drug therapies, which emerged thanks to groundbreaking nanotechnology in the medical world, continue to be developed and are a promising technology for autoimmune diseases and types of cancer. However, smart drugs may not work for every cancer patient. These drugs, produced in many varieties, are applied alone or in combination with traditional treatment methods in suitable patients. Unlike traditional treatment methods such as chemotherapy, smart drugs work directly targeting the affected cells, aiming to complete treatment without harming healthy cells.
What is Smart Drug?
Smart drug is a new generation treatment method frequently used in the treatment of cancer cells. This method, which is based entirely on an individualized treatment model, is determined by specialist physicians. To obtain the most accurate result, it progresses with a focus on targeted therapy. In other words, in this treatment, the problematic cells are directly targeted to minimize damage to healthy cells.
What are the Types of Smart Drugs?
Not every treatment is suitable for every patient. Depending on the type of disease and the patient’s condition, specialist physicians determine which treatment strategy should be applied.
In targeted cell-focused drugs, generally, 2 types of treatment methods are actively applied. One of these methods is antibody applications that focus directly on the receptors of the target cell. An example of this is monoclonal antibody-type drug therapies. Monoclonal antibodies are protein structures that resemble antibodies produced naturally in the human body. These antibodies are produced in a laboratory environment and administered to the patient intravenously. The administered antibodies largely bind to the receptors of the target cell, destroying the cell or stopping its growth. During this process, the patient is closely monitored in the hospital. This application is a type of immunotherapy.
Monoclonal antibodies, known as a new generation nano drug, were first obtained in an experiment conducted on mice in 1975. They are actively used to destroy cancer cells and treat autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases are chronic diseases in which the individual’s own defense cells (antibodies) cause damage by attacking healthy cells. Research on monoclonal antibody therapy continues for these types of diseases. This treatment holds promise for complete recovery in chronic diseases.
Another method actively used in smart drug therapy is nanotechnologies that inhibit (suppress) signals within the cell, preventing the increase of cell function. These types of drugs are generally in tablet form and taken orally. The active ingredient of these drugs, known as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, aims to facilitate treatment by directly affecting the cell, unlike monoclonal antibodies. To date, many smart drugs have been developed according to the structure of mutated cells. The variety of drugs for different types of cancer is gradually increasing.
Smart Drug in Cancer Treatment
Cancer is a disease that arises from the uncontrolled proliferation of cells belonging to any tissue in the human body. Due to many causes, such as mutations, apoptosis, or programmed cell death, becomes inactive. In this case, cells begin to grow and reproduce abnormally, accumulating in tissues. This situation leads to the development of some symptoms in the patient over time and prevents healthy cells from receiving adequate nutrition.
To date, more than 100 types of cancer have been diagnosed. Cancer treatments are determined by specialist doctors based on the location of cancerous cells in the body and the type of cancer. With the advancement of science, the development of new diagnostic methods by medical experts has led to the emergence of more detailed and personalized treatment methods. Today, physicians focus on individualized and targeted treatment methods as they have more information about cancer. Oncology physicians at Hisar Hospitals provide personalized treatment applications by keeping up with current technologies.
Some Preferred Types of Smart Drugs in Cancer Treatment
The role of smart drugs in cancer treatment is increasing. These treatments contribute to cancer treatment, providing successful recovery. Some types of drugs actively used in cancer treatment, preferred by physicians according to the disease, are listed below:
- Endocrine (hormone) therapy: Frequently preferred in cancer treatments where hormonal processes are effective, such as breast, prostate, and uterine cancer.
- Signal transduction inhibitors: Smart drugs developed to prevent cancer cells from receiving continuous division signals in some types of cancer.
- Gene expression regulatory therapies: Nanotechnology drugs developed to reorganize disrupted gene expressions in cancer cells. The aim of this treatment is to prevent mutations from causing cell proliferation.
- Apoptosis-inducing smart drugs: Cells, like humans, die after a certain period. This is triggered by damage, cell aging, or mutations. This event is called apoptosis. However, in cancer cells, apoptosis is blocked, and these problematic cells begin to grow and reproduce uncontrollably. Apoptosis-inducing smart drugs stimulate this mechanism to reactivate it.
- Angiogenesis inhibitors: Angiogenesis means the formation of new blood vessels. Angiogenesis inhibitors aim to prevent the formation of new blood vessels, targeting the spread of cancer cells.
- Immunotherapy: A treatment method focused on antibodies, immunotherapy aims for immune cells to specifically recognize cancer cells. Thus, the body’s own defense cells can directly suppress cancer cells. Monoclonal antibodies are used in this treatment method.
In Which Cancer Diseases is it Used?
Although smart drug therapy is applied in many types of cancer, it may not be suitable for all cancer types. Whether the patient is suitable for the current treatment and, if so, which type of treatment will be applied is determined based on the biopsy and necessary tests.
Currently, certain treatments are actively applied in some types of cancer. For example, in immunotherapy treatment, cancer-type specific antibodies are developed. Thanks to monoclonal antibodies that enable immune cells to recognize cancer cells, high success is achieved in treatment. Hormone therapy is generally preferred in cancer types such as breast and prostate cancer. The reason for this is that hormones play a role in the emergence of cancer cells.
What are the Differences from Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is one of the most commonly used traditional treatment methods in cancer treatment. It is applied in the treatment of malignant (malignant) tumors to prevent the growth, proliferation, and metastasis (spreading to other organs) of cancer cells. The working principles of smart drugs are similar. However, there are also significant differences:
- In highly effective chemotherapy, healthy cells can also be harmed alongside cancer cells. In smart drugs, since the active ingredient of the treatment better recognizes the target cell, healthy cells are less harmed. Since reducing cell damage in cancer treatment is very important, the recovery rate in treatments performed with smart drug technologies is higher than that of chemotherapy. Therefore, the interest of the scientific community is increasingly shifting to nanomedicine technologies, and new drug treatments are being developed.
- Chemotherapy is characterized by the administration of toxic substances called cytotoxic agents via veins or orally, penetrating the cell and killing it. Smart drugs, on the other hand, aim to prevent the growth and division of the target cancer cell rather than destroying the cell. Additionally, there are smart drug treatments that aim to regulate the disrupted apoptosis cycle of the cell, allowing the cell to self-destruct naturally.
Depending on treatment suitability, some individuals may undergo traditional cancer treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, while others may receive treatments such as immunotherapy, hormone therapy, signal transduction inhibitors, gene expression regulators, apoptosis inducers, and angiogenesis inhibitors. In some cases, combinations of traditional cancer treatment methods and smart drugs are preferred. Examples of smart drugs include immunotherapy agents such as trastuzumab, bevacizumab, rituximab, cetuximab; signal transduction inhibitors such as osimertinib, imatinib; and apoptosis inducers such as bortezomib, olaparib, oblimersen.
Frequently Asked Questions
The types of smart drugs are determined according to the type of diseases. The frequently asked questions about smart drug therapy, which is applied specifically to the patient, are generally as follows:
Who Cannot Use Smart Drugs?
A treatment protocol may not work for another patient. All treatment methods must be completely individualized. While traditional treatment methods are preferred for some types of diseases, smart drug therapy or combinations are preferred for others. Who will not respond to smart drug therapy is determined by specialist physicians through necessary examinations.
How Many Doses of Smart Drug are Used?
The dosage of the drugs used varies according to the patient’s condition, the treatment combination determined specifically for the patient, and the type of disease. At Hisar Hospitals, oncology treatment is determined by the multidisciplinary decision of the oncology board, which is composed of specialists and experienced professionals, and personalized treatment is applied.
What Should Be Considered While Using Smart Drugs?
The side effects of smart drugs are less than those of other cancer treatments. This is due to the fact that it is an individualized treatment method developed specifically for the target cell. However, like any drug treatment, smart drugs can also cause some side effects. Examples include:
- Skin rashes or dry skin,
- Nail damage,
- Changes in hair color,
- Digestive system problems, and
- Hypertension.
Side effects may not be seen in every patient and may vary according to the type of drug administered.
Is Hospitalization Necessary During Smart Drug Treatment?
The follow-up conditions vary depending on the type of treatment and the stage of the disease. For example, a patient receiving immunotherapy treatment needs to be hospitalized for monitoring, while a patient receiving oral treatment can be followed up on an outpatient basis. However, for a patient in advanced stages with severe symptoms receiving smart drug treatment, the physician may deem hospital follow-up appropriate.
If you are receiving oncology treatment or want to undergo general screening tests for diagnosis, you can consult Hisar Hospital, which has the necessary medical technologies, and make an appointment from the oncology department to receive complete service.
