Revisiting the standards of cancer detection and therapy alongside their comparison to modern methods

Abstract

In accordance with the World Health Organization data, cancer remains at the forefront of fatal diseases. An upward trend in cancer incidence and mortality has been observed globally, emphasizing that efforts in developing detection and treatment methods should continue. The diagnostic path typically begins with learning the medical history of a patient; this is followed by basic blood tests and imaging tests to indicate where cancer may be located to schedule a needle biopsy. Prompt initiation of diagnosis is crucial since delayed cancer detection entails higher costs of treatment and hospitalization. Thus, there is a need for novel cancer detection methods such as liquid biopsy, elastography, synthetic biosensors, fluorescence imaging, and reflectance confocal microscopy. Conventional therapeutic methods, although still common in clinical practice, pose many limitations and are unsatisfactory. Nowadays, there is a dynamic advancement of clinical research and the development of more precise and effective methods such as oncolytic virotherapy, exosome-based therapy, nanotechnology, dendritic cells, chimeric antigen receptors, immune checkpoint inhibitors, natural product-based therapy, tumor-treating fields, and photodynamic therapy. The present paper compares available data on conventional and modern methods of cancer detection and therapy to facilitate an understanding of this rapidly advancing field and its future directions. As evidenced, modern methods are not without drawbacks; there is still a need to develop new detection strategies and therapeutic approaches to improve sensitivity, specificity, safety, and efficacy. Nevertheless, an appropriate route has been taken, as confirmed by the approval of some modern methods by the Food and Drug Administration.

Keywords: Cancer detection; Liquid biopsy; Synthetic biosensors; Fluorescence imaging; Reflectance confocal microscopy; Elastography; Cancer therapy; Tumor-treating fields; Oncolytic virotherapy; Nanotechnology

Core Tip: Cancer remains at the forefront of fatal diseases, with an upward trend in incidence and mortality. Conventional methods have many limitations, necessitating the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. The present paper reviews conventional and modern methods of cancer detection and therapy to facilitate an understanding of the rapidly advancing field and its future directions. Modern methods are not without drawbacks; there is still a need for new strategies to improve sensitivity, specificity, safety, and efficacy. Nevertheless, some novel techniques have been approved for use in clinical settings, certifying that an appropriate route was taken.