Biomolecules in Colorectal Cancer Therapy

Abstract

Globally, cancer causes millions of deaths every year. According to International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), in 2012, there were 14.1 million new cancer cases and 8.2 million cancer deaths worldwide. Although chemotherapeutics are potential anticancer agents since eight decades, the use of these agents is associated with toxicity, non-specificity and adverse side effects. Biomolecules have been emerged as potential anticancer agents used in cancer therapy. The biomolecules include proteins, nucleic acids and peptides. Monoclonal antibodies with variety of applications are of paramount importance in the detection of markers, diagnosis and treatment of fatal diseases like cancer. The leading monoclonal antibody drugs used in cancer therapy include rituximab, trastuzumab, alemtuzumab, ibritumomab, bevacizumab, cetuximab, ramucirumab, cetuximab and panitumumab. Further, survival of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer has significantly improved with the introduction of the monoclonal antibody drugs. In the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer, monoclonal antibodies targeting epidermal growth factor receptor or vascular endothelial growth factor are used. In addition to further clinical studies, there is a need for customized planning of the therapeutic strategy for individual patients.

Keywords: biomolecules, cancer, colorectal cancer, metastatic colorectal cancer, monoclonal antibody drugs