s Challenges in the Discovery of Novel Therapeutic Agents in Cancer

One of the major challenges currently facing cancer therapy is the development of drug resistance either intrinsically or as a result of treatment. Treatment evasion is mediated by an intricate web of signalling cascades and adaptations caused by selective therapeutic pressure, leading to metastatic spread and patient death. Hence, discovering and designing novel therapeutic compounds and regimens based on specific alterations in the cancer microenvironment and capable of overcoming resistance to traditional therapies is necessary to improve cancer survival outcomes. These new therapeutic modalities should exhibit improved solubility, penetration capacity and bioavailability in the tumor microenvironment as well as enhanced target specificity compared to old generation compounds. The success of this endeavour will contribute to the advent of precision medicine leading to personalized therapeutic approaches for patients.