Anti-angiogenesis

The obvious answer is to prevent metastasis by improving early detection. If you ignore that, there are several new technologies that are very promising. One of the main problems with the systemic treatments (like chemotherapy) that are used to treat cancer is that they affect many normal cells, leading to unwanted side-effects. The best new treatments will have to limit their side-effects. These include:
1. Nanotechnology - this field uses microscopic particles to deliver drugs to cancer cells. They 'home' in to the cancer cells and don't hurt normal cells.
2. Anti-angiogenesis treatments- Angiogenesis is the development of blood vessels. Tumors 'trick' the body into providing them with blood vessels, giving them access to nutrients, oxygen and a way to spread. Because angiogenesis is limited to only a few normal conditions (i.e. pregnancy) in adults, these treatments have the ability to starve tumors. Anti-angiogenesis drugs (including Avastin) DO have side effects and do not always work.

They key is to find something that is UNIQUE to the particular cancer cells being treated, whether it is the things they need (like lots of sugar) or don't need. Newer targeted therapies are a step in this direction but they still affect normal cells to an extent. The obvious answer is to prevent metastasis by improving early detection. If you ignore that, there are several new technologies that are very promising. One of the main problems with the systemic treatments (like chemotherapy) that are used to treat cancer is that they affect many normal cells, leading to unwanted side-effects. The best new treatments will have to limit their side-effects. These include:
1. Nanotechnology - this field uses microscopic particles to deliver drugs to cancer cells. They 'home' in to the cancer cells and don't hurt normal cells.
2. Anti-angiogenesis treatments- Angiogenesis is the development of blood vessels. Tumors 'trick' the body into providing them with blood vessels, giving them access to nutrients, oxygen and a way to spread. Because angiogenesis is limited to only a few normal conditions (i.e. pregnancy) in adults, these treatments have the ability to starve tumors. Anti-angiogenesis drugs (including Avastin) DO have side effects and do not always work.

They key is to find something that is UNIQUE to the particular cancer cells being treated, whether it is the things they need (like lots of sugar) or don't need. Newer targeted therapies are a step in this direction but they still affect normal cells to an extent.