[Jeonseungmin's Science World] The Next-Generation Anticancer Drug Is Coming

Rapid Growth of '3rd Generation Immunotherapy' Technology Using Human Immune Function to Attack Cancer Cells

Jeon Seung-min

Recently, "people fighting cancer" have become increasingly noticeable. Broadcaster Seo Jeong-hee is also battling breast cancer, and actor Lee Eol (58) recently passed away after fighting esophageal cancer. Even in modern times, cancer remains the leading cause of death. However, based on the results of life science research, conquering cancer may be expected in the near future.

To fundamentally increase cancer treatment rates, the emergence of "anticancer drugs" is essential. The "first-generation anticancer drugs" cause severe side effects by damaging normal cells as well. The second-generation anticancer drugs, commonly called "targeted anticancer drugs," target specific proteins or genetic changes that appear predominantly in cancer cells. Although they have fewer side effects and are more effective, they are only effective against a limited number of cancer types and resistance develops easily.

Recently, the third-generation immuno-oncology drugs have raised expectations. These drugs use the human immune system to attack cancer. They are expected to solve the problems of toxicity (first generation) and resistance (second generation).

A representative example is the PD-1 inhibitor. PD-1 suppresses a protein on the surface of human immune cells called "T cells." In 2015, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter became famous after being treated with a new anticancer drug called "Keytruda," which uses this principle, and was declared cured of metastatic brain tumors. Drugs that inhibit the PD-L1 protein on cancer cells, such as "Imfinzi," have also been developed. Recently, methods using immune cells called CART-T have gained popularity. Additionally, inhibiting an antibody called "TIGIT" has attracted attention from pharmaceutical companies.

According to experts, these next-generation anticancer drugs are expected to become widely available within at least a decade or so. When that time comes, will we no longer have to hear heartbreaking news? One thing is certain: time is ultimately on the side of science.