Drugs and Phytochemicals Targeting Cancer

Cancer which is basically uncontrolled cell division and, thereby, the formation of tumors, has been a prominent cause of death across the world. More than 10 million people have lost their lives due to different types of cancer such as breast, lung, prostate, gastrointestinal, etc. Several pathways, including metabolic, signalling, etc., get altered to support uncontrolled cell division and their growth in case of cancer. Despite an increasing understanding of this disease over the period of time, still, specific causes could not be held responsible for the occurrence. Therefore, various different strategies mainly focused on preventing and killing cancerous cells have been explored. This chapter will primarily focus on the different drugs, including different types of chemotherapeutic agents such as DNA-alkylating agents like nitrogen mustard, cyclophosphamide, drug-peptide, drug-steroid conjugates, antimetabolites, antibiotics, etc. In addition to that, phytochemicals, which have also been investigated for their anti-cancerous activities and are under clinical trial, have also been discussed. 

Keywords: Alkylators, Antimetabolite, Berberine, Cancer, Chemotherapeutic agent, Curcumin, Isothiocyanate, Phytochemicals, Quercetin, Resveratrol.