Context: Despite decades of scientific progress the treatment of cancer remains a formidable challenge. However, research in recent years has brought new ways to combat the disease.
Relevance of The Topic: Prelims- Key facts about technologies for cancer treatment.
What is Cancer?
Cancer is a condition of uncontrolled cell growth and division in any part of the body. Cancer occurs when some disruption in the DNA in a normal cell interferes with the cell’s ability to regulate cell division.
- DNA disruption can be caused by mutation due to certain chemicals or sources of high energy (Sun, X-rays, Nuclear radiation), infection by some viruses and due to certain environmental and lifestyle factors.
Potential of Immunotherapy for Cancer Treatment:
Immunotherapy is a type of biological therapy that uses a person's own immune system to fight cancer. It works by helping the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells.
Some important types of Immunotherapy for Cancer Treatment, include:
1. CAR-T Cell Therapy:
- Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a type of cell-based gene therapy which involves altering the genes inside T-cells (a type of white blood cell) to help them attack cancer cells. In the therapy, T-cells are harvested from the patient’s blood.
- Researchers modify these cells in the laboratory so that they express specific proteins on their surface known as chimeric antigen receptors (CAR).
- These cells are then grown and multiplied in the laboratory and then inserted back into the patient. This genetic modification allows CAR T-cells to effectively bind to the cancer cells and destroy them.
- Presently, CAR T-cell therapy has been approved for leukaemia (cancer arising from the cells that produce white blood cells) and lymphoma (arising from the lymphatic system).
2. Monoclonal antibodies:
- Monoclonal antibodies are immune system proteins created in the lab (artificial antibodies) that are designed to bind to specific targets on cancer cells.
- Some monoclonal antibodies mark cancer cells so that they will be better seen and destroyed by the immune system.
3. Cancer vaccines/ Injecting induced non-classical monocytes (I-NCMs):
- Northwestern University research showed that injecting a specific type of white blood cell (induced non-classical monocytes) into mice was effective in combating cancer.
- These specialised WBCs (I-NCMs) can be generated/activated through severe infections like COVID-19 or by using certain chemicals.
- Once activated, I-NCMs are able to leave blood vessels and migrate to tumours, where they launch an attack on cancer cells.
- Mechanism (just for your curiosity):
- I-NCMs possess a unique receptor (CCR2) which acts like a specialised antenna to detect signals emitted by certain types of cancer cells or inflamed tissues. These signals guide I-NCMs to the infection site, where they launch an attack.
- At the infection site, they recruit other immune cells callednatural killer (NK) cells, which are effective at destroying cancer cells.
- Natural killer cells are a vital component of the immune system.
- NK cells directly target and eliminate abnormal-appearing cells, such as cancer cells or virus-infected cells.
However, not all cancers respond to immunotherapy, and even when treatments show initial success, cancer cells can adapt and develop resistance.
Important Technologies for Cancer Treatment:
| S.No. | Technology | Details |
| 1. | Chemotherapy | Involves administration of drugs that interfere with cell division to slow down the growth of tumours. Limitations: These drugs can disrupt the cell division of normal cells too, causing complications. |
| 2. | Radiation Therapy | Radiation therapy directs high-energy radiation at the part of the body where a tumour is located. Limitations: The radiation process is not perfect and the nearby tissues are often harmed. |
| 3. | Image-guided Radiation Therapy | Form of radiation therapy that uses imaging techniques to precisely locate and treat cancerous tissue. Allows for higher doses of radiation to be delivered to tumour while minimising exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. |
| 4. | Proton Therapy | Type of radiation therapy that uses high-energy proton beams to destroy cancerous cells.Particularly useful to treat tumours located in sensitive areas (brain, eyes and spinal cord) where traditional radiation therapy can cause severe side effects. |
| 5. | Precision Medicine | Uses genomic information (genetic profile of their tumour) to personalise treatment for cancer patients. |
| 6. | Immunotherapy | i. CAR-T Cell Therapy ii. Utilising Monoclonal Antibodies iii. Injecting Cancer Vaccines |
Government Initiatives for Cancer Treatment:
- National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Stroke is a flagship program under the National Health Mission. Launched in 2010, it aims to prevent and control major non-communicable diseases, including cancer.
- National Cancer Registry Programme (1982) under the Indian Council of Medical Research collects and maintains data on cancer incidence across the country.
- National Cancer Grid is a network of major cancer centres across India that collaborate to standardise cancer care to improve the quality of cancer treatment.
- National Cancer Institute at Jhajjar, Haryana has been established as a centre of excellence for cancer treatment and research.
- Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana includes coverage for cancer treatment to over 10 crore families.
- Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme launched in 2020 for domestic manufacturing of oncology equipment and other medical devices.