Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 6/5/2004

Question
How are the reproduction rate, metabolism and structure of cancerous cells exploited to create effective therapies for cancer?

Answer
This is an very big question with an equally big answer. In fact a whole book could be written on this theme. All experts here answer questions in their spare time and there is never enough of that to fully answer a question like this! I will therefore only give a brief outline. All malignancies multiply out of control. That is more or less the main characteristic of a malignancy. In most cases that also means a faster cell division rate than in normal tissues. This can be exploited both in chemotherapy, where
different agents that interfere with cell division mechanisms are used, and in radiation therapy that also harms cell division. Malignancies are therefore more likely to be harmed by these therapies than normal tissues (though these are not immune). Some malignancies retain the hormonal dependencies of the tissues of their origin (for example breast, thyroid and prostate cancer) and can therefore be treated with hormonal methods. More recently the blood supply problem of a tumour and its special genetic make up have been exploited in new tumour therapies. Likewise, some malignancies have special metabolic needs (for example can not themselves make amino acids that normal tissues can) and can therefore be attacked by methods using this inability. Some thyroid cancers take up iodine in a selective way. This can be used to attack them with radioactive iodine. Well, this is a short outline. BUT this service is REALLY more intended for more specific questions. If you have any such - also concerning these matters - please do feel free to come back!