Smart Drug Triggers Self-Destruction of Cancer Cells

Cancer Cells Self-Destruct with Smart Drugs Medical Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. İdris Yücel stated that the use of smart drugs is easier and more curative compared to chemotherapy, and that smart drugs cause cancer cells to self-destruct by blocking their pathways. Cancer diseases once deemed 'incurable' have become completely treatable with new treatment methods. In recent times, smart drugs, whose use has increased considerably, have enabled many cancer patients to regain their former health and resume normal lives. Prof. Dr. İdris Yücel, Medical Oncology Specialist at Medicana International Samsun Hospital, provided information on the importance and benefits of smart drug therapy. Prof. Dr. İdris Yücel, explaining that smart drugs cause cancer cells to self-destruct by blocking cell pathways, stated: "Cancer treatment is conventionally divided into subcategories such as surgical treatment, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hormone therapy. Depending on the patient, one or several of these treatments can be used in combination. Chemotherapy is aimed at killing cancer cells. When we administer chemotherapy, we aim to eliminate unwanted cancer cells. These have the property of killing cells. Some show this effect by fragmenting the cell's DNA, others by disrupting its metabolism. Recently, applications called smart drugs are not cell-killing. They act on the cell's biology. For example, for a cell to survive, it must perform many functions. There are signal pathways within the cell. There are certain signal pathways that start from the cell membrane and reach the nucleus. These signal pathways enable the cell to survive, divide, and multiply. We already know that abnormal division and multiplication occurs in cancer cells. So if we block these pathways, can we stop cell multiplication? These were discovered. Certain drugs that block these signal pathways were discovered. The mechanism of smart drugs is not cell-killing—we can give an example by saying it cuts off the cell's electricity, cuts off its water. In this way, the cell cannot perform its functions and the cell leads itself to death," he said.

"Smart drug use is easier than chemotherapy"

Emphasizing that the exhausting and painful process of chemotherapy is not experienced with smart drug use, Prof. Dr. Yücel stated: "In our country, some smart drugs are licensed and reimbursed. Some are licensed but not reimbursed. They are most commonly used in diseases such as breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Smart drugs actually have very wide areas of application. They are being tested in various cancers. They are drugs that act on cell biology, treating by disrupting cell biology. They are very expensive drugs because they are obtained through advanced technology. Because they are very expensive, even if health authorities grant a license, reimbursement can encounter difficulties. Hopefully these issues will be resolved over time. Chemotherapy is a very difficult process. It is a process that is quite taxing on the patient. Smart drugs also have side effects. They are not that harmless either, but they can be used more easily compared to chemotherapy. Most of these are oral tablets. For this reason, patients can be managed very seriously. In chemotherapy, depending on the response obtained, you administer chemotherapy according to the patient's tolerance, but perhaps the patient cannot tolerate it and may have to stop. The duration can be extended or shortened depending on the course of the disease. There are long and short programs. How much chemotherapy is administered to which patient varies depending on the patient and disease. As side effects of smart drugs, we can mention skin shedding, burning and scorching in hands and feet, skin peeling, and thyroid function disorders. These are side effects that can be tolerated and managed. For this reason, smart drug use is easier than chemotherapy," he said.  

"Smart drugs can also cause tumors to completely disappear"

Also noting that in some patients, the use of smart drugs results in complete elimination of cancer, Yücel stated: "The most important difference between chemotherapy and smart drug use is the mechanism of action. Chemotherapy is surface-killing, smart drugs disrupt the cell's biology. We use it in breast cancer and ovarian cancer, and in melanoma, which is an aggressive skin cancer we call it. The field of application of smart drugs is continuously expanding. In cancers that were once very difficult to treat, thanks to smart drugs, we are achieving more successful outcomes. In other words, we can say patients live longer. In widely metastasized cancer types, it first extends survival time. It can also bring about what we call complete response, the complete disappearance of the tumor. But eventually, the disease can recur. Smart drugs are not drugs that can be given to every patient. The patient must be suitable for it. Smart drugs have revolutionized cancer treatment, but unfortunately we still cannot say 'smart drugs came out and cancer is over,'" he said. Medical Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. İdris Yücel additionally added: "Smart drugs are not drugs to replace chemotherapy. They are drugs used within their own traditions and characteristics. They can also be combined with chemotherapy. They can be used alone. In other words, one should not think that smart drugs came out and chemotherapy was abandoned. One should not think this way. Today, chemotherapy remains the most commonly used treatment method in cancer."