CANCER CHEMOTHERAPY: CONVENTIONAL APPROACHES AND RECENT ADVANCES
Dr. Virendra Kushwaha*, Dr. Pooja Agrawal, Dr. B. K. Shoraisham, Dr. Rishabh Gupta, Dr. Vivek Prajapati, Dr. Saroj Yadav, Dr. Anshuman Agrawal, Dr. Deepankar Tiwari
ABSTRACT
Background: Cancer is a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, characterised by uncontrolled cell
proliferation, genomic instability, immune evasion, and metastasis. Chemotherapy remains a cornerstone of cancer
management and is frequently combined with surgery, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies.
Recent advances in molecular biology and drug delivery systems have shifted treatment approaches toward
precision oncology. Objectives: To review the historical evolution, pharmacological principles, conventional
chemotherapeutic regimens, and recent advances in cancer chemotherapy. Methods: A narrative review of
published literature, oncology guidelines, pharmacology textbooks, and recent clinical studies was conducted.
Evidence regarding conventional chemotherapy, targeted therapies, toxicity profiles, and emerging therapeutic
innovations was synthesised. Results: Cancer chemotherapy has evolved from nitrogen mustard derivatives to
molecularly guided precision medicine. Conventional chemotherapy remains essential in the treatment of
haematological and solid malignancies, including leukaemias, lymphomas, breast, lung, colorectal, ovarian,
gastric, and other cancers. Recent advances include novel agents such as elacestrant, LiPyDau, pirtobrutinib,
revumenib, and asciminib, which target resistant molecular pathways. Innovations in liposomal delivery systems,
sustained-release formulations, immunochemotherapy, scalp cooling therapy, and metronomic chemotherapy have
improved efficacy while reducing toxicity. Conclusion: The field of cancer chemotherapy is transitioning from
non-specific cytotoxic therapy to personalised, targeted treatment strategies. Continued advances in molecular
therapeutics and drug delivery technologies are expected to further improve survival outcomes and quality of life
in cancer patients.
Keywords: Cancer chemotherapy, Conventional chemotherapy, Targeted therapy, Immunotherapy, Drug delivery, Precision medicine.
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