An Overview of Anti Cancer Drugs in world

Introduction 

Even in today’s time, cancer falls among the most dangerous diseases which is why the search for effective therapies does not stop. Cytotoxic agents have undergone countless changes in course of the years, due to developments in all scientific fields, improved techniques, increased awareness about the disease and its mechanisms. This blog examines the history, current state, and possible future of anti cancer drugs around the world and in Canada, and top pharma industries manufacturing anti cancer drugs.

PAST

It is worthwhile to note that the journey of anti cancer drugs started much earlier 20th century. Mustard gas, the first chemotherapy agent was identified during World War I but it was used clinically for the treatment of lymphoma afterward. The first effective anti cancer preparation of the new type, Methotrexate, a folate antagonist, discovered in the 1940s.

Key Milestones:

• In mid’50s methotrexate was found to be a cure for tumor and 5-fluorouracil succeeded it as a new class of tumor antagonists.
• Combination chemotherapy developed in the 1960s and 1970s was responsible for the enhancement of treatment of diseases such as acute childhood advanced Hodgkin's disease and leukemia.
• 1980s-90s: These targeted treatments came into practice that attack specific molecules related to this disease.

THE PRESENT: Innovations and Developments

Currently, anti cancer drugs include the first and second generation chemotherapeutic agents, targeted therapies, immunotherapies, etc. They are categorized into several classes, including alkylating agents, anti-metabolites, and targeted therapies

1. Targeted Therapies

These drugs target at some gene abnormalities or certain proteins that are associated with cancer. For example:

• Trastuzumab (Herceptin) – Trastuzumab belongs to HER2-positive breast cancer.
• Imatinib (Gleevec) It targets the BCR-ABL fusion protein.

These medicines are often given concurrently in modem treatments so as to achieve the best results while suppressing side effects.

2. Immunotherapy

It is a revolutionary approach in which immune system of the body is used to combat cancer. Breakthroughs include: 

• Checkpoint inhibitors like Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and Nivolumab (Opdivo), that inhibit proteins from shielding T-cells against cancer cells.
• CAR T-cell therapy, where T-cells of a patient are reprogrammed for better identification of the Cancer cells.

3. Personalized Medicine

Genomic profiling of tumors enables individual targeting of cancer as a disease. This makes it possible for the approaches to be more effective with reduced side effects.

4. Nanotechnology

Scientists are also considering nanoparticles because these can shuttle drugs selectively to the tumor site to increase the concentration of the drug at the tissue and minimized side effects from the drug affecting other tissues.

5. Global Developments

The approval rates of anti cancer drugs are increasing in reality all over the world. The FDA and EMA are always revising their approval procedures to make it easier to get more effective new treatments to patients.

THE FUTURE: Trends and Expectations

The future of anti cancer drugs is promising, with various trends emerging:

1. Increased Focus on Precision Medicine

Improved genomic sequencing will lead to emergence of more targeted therapies. Predictive biomarkers will help to decide on the effective treatment for patients and become very useful in the further prognosis.

2. Combination Therapies

Using multiple modality treatments (chemotherapy, immunotherapy and anti-cancer targeted treatments) is believed to improve the treatment outcomes. People are trying to find out the best combo to overcome this problem.

3. AI and Machine Learning

Machine learning is projected in playing a significant role in drug discovery and to be able to find new drug targets and patient response outcomes.

4. Global Collaboration

International partnerships in research and clinical trial will encourages the sharing of information and knowledge/ resources hence promoting development and use of new drugs.

Latest News

Several breakthroughs in the fight against cancer are: -

• The Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) of India has recommended that to check counterfeiting QR codes should be placed on anti cancer drugs.
• On an international level, major changes have recently emerged in the management of cancer through individualized gene therapies and drugs.
• Scientists have established new targets for priority drugs and biomarkers leading to new ways to fight cancer.

Anti Cancer Drugs in Canada

Cancer control in Canada has been greatly enhanced due to numerous achievements in investigation and therapy in Canadian, national and international hospitals, research institution, universities, and other organizations. Cancer organizations such as the Canadian Cancer Society and several provincial cancer agencies are the primary contributors to the provision of research funds and clinical trials support.

• Chemotherapy is still an important component of cancer treatment; some of the today’s most widely used agents include cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil.
• The treatment remains curative as well as palliative, therefore targeting the elimination of cancer or improvement of patient’s life. (Courtesy: Canadian cancer society)
• Research Initiatives: Canadian universities and research institutions are carrying out paradigmatic research in cancer immunotherapy and genomics. Some of the players in this field include the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and McGill University.
• Drug Access: Canada has an efficient health care system that will guarantee majority of Canadians access to basic cancer care treatments. Nevertheless, there is debate as to whether new therapies are available.

Canadian Top Pharma Companies Making Anti Cancer Drugs

Here are some of the top Canadian pharmaceutical companies involved in the development of anti cancer drugs:

• Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada: There is a high level of awareness of oncology products especially concerning Novartis which has been world acclaimed for coming up with new cancer therapies.
• Sunshine Biopharma: Originally located in Montréal, Quebec, Sunshine Biopharma employs its resources primarily for conducting research and developing and marketing drugs for cancer.
• Bristol Myers Squibb Canada: Bristol Myers Squibb is one of the top global biopharmaceutical companies focusing on producing outstanding cancer therapies in immunotherapies and targeted therapies.
• Pfizer Canada: Currently Pfizer is among the leading corporations in the field of pharma and has several anti cancer agents in its pipeline that is chemotherapeutic agents and targeted therapy.
• Roche Canada: Star drug maker Roche continues to holds a strong pipeline for cancer, particularly breast cancer, lung cancer, and other forms of cancer products.

Above list comprises Canadian pharma manufacturing companies that lead cancer research and treatment and are involved in the development of anti cancer medications in Canada and worldwide.

Recent Developments:

• In 2023 Canada has accredited several new treatments; advanced immunotherapy for lung and breast cancer.
• Early indications of efforts related to increasing the utilization of advanced therapies for use by the less privileged are emerging.

Challenges:

Even though Canadians have access to one of the most efficient healthcare systems, the poorest citizens can only partially access the newest anti cancer drugs and this problem is very acute in rural regions. Developing policies for increasing access has been a big challenge for the government.

Conclusion

Some anti cancer drugs have been identified many decades ago but others are relatively new, and the future of anti cancer drugs is even brighter given the continuous technological developments in personalized medicine. The global war on cancer goes on to date with new education, studies and research being conducted in a bid to end this and enhance the quality of health care given to the patients.

Canada experienced improvements in the fight against cancer through continued research, steadfast support of accessibility, and combined efforts of care providers and patients and researchers. In the future, anti cancer treatments will maintain an upward trend so that in the future, cancer will not only be cured but also controlled and one day it will be prevented

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