Common hotspots of cancer chemotherapy

Abstract

Cancer is fundamentally a disturbance in the regulation of tissue development. Normal cells must undergo alterations in the genes responsible for cell proliferation and differentiation for cancer to arise. Carcinogenesis is the process through which cancer originates in healthy cells. It is characterized by cellular, genetic, and epigenetic alterations, as well as abnormal cell division. Oncogenes may be either normal genes with aberrant expression or mutant genes with surprising new abilities. Cancers are categorized with respect to the cell type involved in the cancerous growth. The categories include Carcinoma (Epithelial cells: lungs, breast, prostate, pancreas, intestine), Sarcoma (connective tissues: bone, cartilage, fat, nerves), Lymphoma & Leukaemia (immune system: lymph node & blood), Blastoma (embryonic cells), Germ cell tumour (ovarian & testicular germ cell). Cancer diagnosis involve an array of medical examinations such as blood count and X-ray imaging using electron endoscopy and computer-generated tomography. Tissue diagnosis reflects the histological grade, genetic abnormalities, and other properties of the proliferating cells which aid physicians in selecting the optimal course of treatment and determining the patient's prognosis. Cancer exhibits no visible symptoms except general symptoms such as unintended weight loss and fatigue. Chemotherapy refers to the use of one or more cytotoxic antineoplastic drugs (chemotherapeutic agents) in a specified treatment regime. It targets rapidly dividing cells, and its effectiveness is dependent on the type and severity of the disease. Classes of chemotherapeutic drugs are Alkylating agents, antimetabolites, Antitumor antibiotics, hormonal agents, plants alkaloids and miscellaneous agents. Other treatment of cancer includes the use of radiation, laser therapy, immunotherapy, and surgery. Cancer hotspots are areas of tumour DNA that are more susceptible to alteration. Examples of oncogenes with cancer hotspots include BRCA genes, p53 genes, APC genes, HER genes, PALB2 genes, ATM genes, ALK genes etc.