Abstract
Evolution of our thinking and design of cancer therapeutics [1] has gone through a tortuous path in the last eighty or so years, since the first patient was treated with a chemical agent [2]. Introduction of nitrogen mustard in the treatment of cancer in 1940’s was based on a serendipitous finding and observation during the second world war [3].
Design of multiagent chemotherapy protocols [4] which was the next step in the evolution of this path, was based on the thinking that killing cancer cells through interference with their life cycle in multiple directions and through multiple paths, would lead to a better outcome.
Through time, dissection of different intracellular pathways [5], related to cell survival and proliferation, has guided the design of newer agents interfering with and antagonizing those pathways [6]. The driving force of our thinking has all time been development of more sophisticated means to kill cancer cells [7].
Recurrence of cancer following complete response, as well as upfront resistance to chemo and targeted therapy has led to significant frustration and roadblock in clinical arena [8]. This has led to consideration of other kinds of approach to neoplastic disorders.
Meanwhile a better understanding of fundamental concepts, such as chromosomal instability [9] and intratumor heterogeneity [10], alongside developments, such as single cell sequencing [11] and nano-technology [12] have started to pave the road for future cancer therapeutics.
Keywords
Entropy, Master regulator complex, Cellular network entropy, Nano-machines, Cancer tumor evolutions, Future cancer therapeutics