Top 10 Anticancer Drugs In India For Prevalent Cancers

Cancer remains a major global health concern, claiming more lives than any other disease, and in India alone, two people lose their lives to cancer every minute. Cancer is a complex group of diseases that can originate in any part of the body when abnormal cells grow and multiply uncontrollably. The most effective type of cancer treatment for an individual depends on various factors, including their age, overall health status, the stage and location of cancer, and other specific considerations.

Recent statistics indicate that India had 1,392,179 cases of cancer in 2020, making it a significant health concern. The most prevalent types of cancer among the Indian population are breast cancer, lip and oral cavity cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, blood cancer, ovarian cancer, and liver cancer. In this article, we will discuss the top 10 anti-cancer drugs that are commonly used in India to treat these types of cancer. With advancements in cancer treatment, the latest studies have shown that the overall survival rate for cancer patients in India has increased to 70% compared to previous years, providing hope for those fighting this disease.

Effective cancer treatment in India depends on two primary factors: the stage of cancer and the appropriate cancer medication. To treat cancer, Indian oncologists typically employ a multi-disciplinary approach that may include chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. Immunotherapy and targeted therapy have shown significant promise in cancer treatment, as they are highly specific in their actions and have produced better treatment outcomes for patients. By leveraging these cutting-edge therapies alongside traditional treatment options, Indian doctors are achieving better results in cancer care.

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Pembrolizumab is an immunotherapy drug widely used in cancer treatment. It is highly effective against lung, colorectal, breast, ovarian, skin, stomach, and esophageal cancers, as well as blood cancers and head & neck tumors. With its remarkable potential, pembrolizumab has emerged as a go-to treatment for cancer patients seeking better outcomes. Read on to learn more about the uses and benefits of pembrolizumab in cancer therapy.

Pembrolizumab is an immunotherapy drug that works by enhancing the immune system to target cancer cells and stop their growth. By binding to immune cell receptors and blocking cancer-promoting proteins, pembrolizumab effectively halts cancer progression. This groundbreaking medication is used to treat various cancers, including lung, colorectal, breast, ovarian, skin, stomach, esophageal, blood, and head & neck cancers. Read on to discover how pembrolizumab works and its benefits for cancer patients.

In India, breast cancer ranks as the leading type of cancer, with a new case being diagnosed every minute among women. The majority of breast cancer cases in the country are identified at advanced stages 3 and 4. Consequently, the treatment strategy revolves around utilizing targeted therapy to enhance the chances of survival. One specific subtype of breast cancer that is becoming increasingly prevalent in India is HER2-positive breast cancer, which is known for its aggressive nature.

In the management of advanced breast cancer, trastuzumab takes precedence as the predominant medication. This monoclonal antibody acts by attacking the HER2 proteins, which play a vital role in the rapid growth of cancer cells. By selectively binding to HER2 receptors, trastuzumab effectively inhibits the abnormal proliferation of breast cancer cells. The drug is administered intravenously and has shown promising outcomes, leading to improved results for women with breast cancer. It can be used alone or in conjunction with surgery or chemotherapy. Furthermore, trastuzumab is also employed in the treatment of stomach and esophageal cancer.

Ovarian cancer ranks as the second most frequently diagnosed cancer in Indian women. Bevacizumab is a medication that works by blocking the action of a protein called vascular growth factor. This protein plays a role in the formation of blood vessels within tumors, promoting cancer progression. A recent study has shown that using bevacizumab as an initial treatment for ovarian cancer has yielded positive outcomes. Additionally, bevacizumab has demonstrated effectiveness in treating the recurrence of ovarian cancer.

This medication is a type of monoclonal antibody that specifically focuses on the factor responsible for the growth of tumors. It offers significant benefits in the treatment of various cancer types, including lung cancer, advanced brain cancer, and cancers of the colon, breast, and cervix that have metastasized extensively throughout the body.

Nivolumab has shown remarkable results in treating advanced lung cancers in India. It has become a viable option for individuals who have not responded well to platinum-based chemotherapy. A recent study further confirms that nivolumab has been highly effective in Indian patients dealing with recurrent lung cancer.

Nivolumab functions as an immunoglobulin 4 antibody that operates by attaching itself to immune cells. Through this interaction, it stimulates the immune system to actively combat cancer cells in a powerful manner.

In addition to its application in lung cancer treatment, nivolumab is also approved for various other types of cancers, including colorectal cancer, head and neck cancer, gastric cancer, blood cancer, as well as kidney, liver, skin, and bladder cancers. The most recent report emphasized that the use of low-dose nivolumab has led to an improvement in the survival rates of patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer.

Ipilimumab has received favorable feedback for its effectiveness in treating metastatic colorectal cancer, which ranks among the top 5 prevalent cancers in India. This medication belongs to the immunotherapy class and operates by harnessing the power of the immune system to eliminate cancer cells. Although initially approved for treating aggressive skin cancer, it has gained significant popularity. Currently, Ipilimumab is commonly used in combination with nivolumab for treating liver, lung, and advanced kidney cancer.

India is experiencing a consistent increase in stomach cancer cases, with a higher incidence observed among men. Ramucirumab is a targeted therapy that operates by inhibiting the growth of blood vessels in tumor cells, thereby halting the progression of gastric cancer. It has been approved for use in advanced gastric cancer treatment. Recent trials have shown that combining ramucirumab with chemotherapy agents has yielded positive outcomes in terms of effectiveness, leading to improved prognosis for individuals with advanced gastric cancer.

Lung cancer ranks as the second most prevalent cancer in India. Reports indicate that atezolizumab has shown promising outcomes in improving the survival rate among lung cancer patients. Approximately 1 in 5 individuals with lung cancer who received atezolizumab achieved a two-year survival rate. Atezolizumab is formulated as monoclonal antibodies that enhance the immune system and the functions of immune cells to target cancer cells. It can be administered as a post-surgery treatment for non-small cell lung cancer or in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced small cell lung cancer.

Ribociclib, a medication, has shown remarkable efficacy in the treatment of advanced metastatic breast cancer, particularly in younger women. Oncologists have reported that women with advanced breast cancer who received ribociclib experienced significant life expectancy extension compared to traditional chemotherapy approaches.

Renal cell carcinoma is the most prevalent form of kidney cancer, accounting for approximately 85% of cases, with a higher incidence observed in Indian men compared to women. Research studies have demonstrated that sunitinib, a targeted therapy medication, has shown a significant patient response rate, leading to disease control in 60% of patients with advanced kidney cancer. This medication is taken orally and, in addition to kidney cancer, it is also approved for the treatment of pancreatic cancer and tumors in the stomach. Sunitinib functions by inhibiting the enzymes responsible for signaling cancer cell growth, thereby interrupting the factors and pathways involved in cancer progression.

In India, approximately 100,000 individuals are diagnosed with blood cancer each year, and the concerning trend is that it is increasingly affecting children. The growing demand for treatment options led to the development of ibrutinib, a targeted therapy that received approval in 2016 as a primary treatment for a specific type of leukemia. Recent observations have shown that ibrutinib has achieved successful outcomes in the treatment of blood cancer by prolonging patient survival and delaying cancer progression. Ibrutinib works by inhibiting Bruton's protein kinase, a protein that plays a role in the abnormal growth of cancer cells. It is administered orally in the form of pills and is considered a first-line therapy for blood cancer.

Despite the high success rate of the top 10 cancer-fighting medications, the mortality rate from cancer is increasing due to late-stage detection. While there are numerous anticancer drugs available, the aforementioned medications have shown considerable effectiveness in prolonging the life expectancy of cancer patients. It is crucial to detect symptoms early and prioritize cancer screening practices in order to enhance survival rates and improve quality of life.