Beyond Chemotherapy: Precision Oncology and the Shift Toward Non-Toxic, Adaptive Cancer Therapies
Andrew Dickens 1*, Anton Yuryev 2, John Catanzaro 3, Shamsuddin Sultan Khan 3
Journal of Precision Biosciences 5(1) 1-9 https://doi.org/10.25163/biosciences.515805
Submitted: 06 March 2023 Revised: 15 May 2023 Published: 16 May 2023
Abstract
Chemotherapy has long been a cornerstone of cancer treatment, yet its continued reliance represents an outdated, toxic paradigm that exacerbates patient suffering without ensuring lasting remission. While initially effective against rapidly dividing cells, chemotherapy inadvertently drives cancer resistance through genetic mutations, drug efflux mechanisms, tumor microenvironment protection, and metabolic adaptations. This vicious cycle not only fuels aggressive relapses but also diminishes overall patient outcomes. Despite significant advancements in precision medicine, the medical industry remains financially and structurally anchored to chemotherapy, prioritizing profit-driven models over patient-centered, non-toxic alternatives. Emerging personalized molecular strategies—including real-time signal-based medicine, adaptive precision therapies, immunomolecular augmentation, and molecular surveillance—offer a transformative approach to sustainable cancer management. These innovations leverage the body’s natural defenses to counteract cancer’s adaptability without inflicting collateral toxicity. Shifting away from chemotherapy toward precision-based interventions is essential to breaking the cycle of treatment resistance and improving long-term survival. The future of oncology depends on therapies that evolve alongside cancer’s complexity while preserving patient health and well-being.
Keywords: Chemotherapy resistance, precision oncology, molecular diagnostics, immunomolecular therapy, cancer adaptation
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