부산대학교 도서관

Chemotherapy serves as a crucial treatment modality for various types of cancer and has made significant contributions to enhancing patient outcomes in recent decades. This abstract presents a comprehensive overview of chemotherapy, encompassing its progress, obstacles, and prospects for the future. The primary aim of chemotherapy is to selectively target and eradicate cancer cells throughout the body using cytotoxic drugs. Chemotherapeutic agents can be categorized into diverse groups, including alkylating agents, antimetabolites, anthracyclines, taxanes, and targeted therapies. Significant advancements have emerged in the field of chemotherapy, leading to the development of more efficient and personalized treatment strategies. The introduction of targeted therapies, such as monoclonal antibodies and small molecule inhibitors, has revolutionized cancer treatment by precisely attacking cancer cells while minimizing harm to healthy tissues. Additionally, the integration of immunotherapeutic agents, like immune checkpoint inhibitors, has displayed remarkable success in augmenting the immune system's ability to identify and eliminate cancer cells. Nevertheless, chemotherapy encounters several challenges. One of the primary limitations lies in its toxicity to normal cells, resulting in notable side effects. Efforts are underway to enhance the selectivity and specificity of chemotherapy drugs, aiming to reduce adverse effects on healthy tissues. Furthermore, drug resistance remains a critical concern in chemotherapy, as cancer cells can develop mechanisms to evade the cytotoxic impact of drugs. Despite these challenges, chemotherapy remains a crucial component of cancer treatment, and recent advancements have paved the way for more effective and personalized therapeutic approaches. Overcoming the obstacles associated with toxicity and drug resistance remains a priority, with future research focused on optimizing treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes. By harnessing the potential of emerging technologies and innovative approaches, chemotherapy holds promise for further advancements in the battle against cancer. Keywords: chemotherapy, cancer treatment, advancements, challenges, drug resistance, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, toxicity, drug delivery, personalized medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]