Medications employed in the treatment of various cancer types exhibit varying levels of effectiveness, as different tumors display diverse responses to drug therapy. Anticancer drugs prove particularly valuable in managing conditions such as lymphomas, leukemias, breast cancer, testicular cancer, and prostate cancer.
The majority of anticancer drugs exert their effects through cytotoxic mechanisms, causing cell death, damage, or inhibition of cell division. Cytotoxic drugs can be classified into several categories, including alkylating agents, antimetabolites, cytotoxic antibiotics, and taxanes. Additionally, cytokines, which are proteins released by cells in response to harmful organisms, such as interferon alpha, bind to other cells and activate the immune response.
While drug treatment can be employed as a standalone approach in certain cases, it is frequently combined with surgical procedures or radiotherapy. The administration of anticancer drugs often involves a combination of medications to enhance their efficacy. Typically, cytotoxic drugs are administered through injections in short courses, repeated at specific intervals.
Certain cytotoxic drugs can induce symptoms of nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and heightened vulnerability to infections. Conversely, medications like tamoxifen, utilized in the treatment of breast cancer, are orally administered on a continuous basis for extended periods, spanning months or even years, and generally exhibit minimal side effects.