Preface
Page: ii-ii (1)
Author: Motamarri Venkata Naga Lalitha Chaitanya, Galvina Pereira and Heyam Saad Ali
DOI: 10.2174/9789815124699123010002
Clinical Role of Modern Ayurveda in Treating Cancer
Page: 1-14 (14)
Author: Galvina Pereira*, Motamarri Venkata Naga Lalitha Chaitanya and Rashmi Saxena Pal
DOI: 10.2174/9789815124699123010004
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
“Ayurveda”, an ancient Indian science of living which originated about 5000
thousand years ago, establishes ways of living a healthy life by establishing harmony
between body, mind, and spirit. Ayurveda suggests lifestyle and dietary changes for the
management of cancer and cancer like symptoms. Though the occurrence of this
disease about five thousand years ago was sparce, yet the ayurvedic texts do mention
some symptoms that can be aliased to cancer. These are often treated by different
Ayurvedic procedures and formulations. Majority of these formulations balance the
elements in our body referred to as “Tridoshas” which are vatta, pitta and kapha. It has
been reported that the herbs, lifestyle and dietary changes that act by balancing
“Tridoshas” show beneficial effects on cancer at various stages of the disease.
Medicinal plants that possess a set of defined attributes such as bitter, pungent,
astringent biopotency, act as excellent candidates for prevention, mitigation and
treatment of cancers. Moreover, using systems pharmacology and bioactivity-guided
fractionation, it is now possible to decipher the molecular mechanism of action of these
potent anti-cancer herbs. An amalgamation of Ayurvedic systems and modern medicine
put together as “Modern Ayurveda” is proving efficient in cancer therapy.
Aromatherapy: An Adjuvant Treatment in Cancer
Page: 15-27 (13)
Author: Poonam Agrawal*
DOI: 10.2174/9789815124699123010005
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
Aromatherapy is a complementary healing therapy that uses aromatic
essential oils to improve the health of the body and mind. Essential oils with healing
properties, like geranium oil, rosemary oil, lavender oil, patchouli oil, and others, have
been used to treat cancer. Cancer is often treated using chemotherapy and/or radiation
therapy. Nausea and vomiting are often side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Subsequently, these cancer therapies lead to various psychological disorders, such as
stress, anxiety, and depression, in cancer patients. Hence, the a need to assist cancer
patients in overcoming these disorders. Aromatherapy, which is a blend of essential
oils, has been reported to improve disorders that arise during complicated cancer
therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation. Research on cancer populations has
revealed that patients exposed to essential oils via inhaler devices had reduced anxiety,
stress, nausea, and poor sleep. The effects of aromatherapy are reported to be due to the
binding of chemical components in the essential oil to receptors in the olfactory bulb,
impacting the brain’s emotional center, the limbic system. Aromatherapy has also been
reported to relieve pain, muscular tension, and fatigue. Aromatherapy practitioners treat
specific conditions using various combinations of oils and different modes of
application. Aromatherapy can thus be used as a potential supplement treatment to
improve complications in cancer; however, further studies are needed to estimate the
protocol and standard dosage. Given the difficulties of cancer treatment, aromatherapy
can play an important role in treating patients' psychological aspects.
The Traditional Immune Boosting Recipes
Page: 28-48 (21)
Author: Rokeya Sultana*
DOI: 10.2174/9789815124699123010006
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
The immune system is amazingly complicated and vital for our survival.
Several different systems and cell types of our body work effortlessly in ideal
synchrony throughout the body to fight off pathogens and clear up dead cells. Our
immune systems perform an implausible job by putting up a wall that can safeguard the
disease-causing microorganisms. Our immune system requires equilibrium to function
smoothly, so a person must eat and drink healthy balanced foods for getting energy and
nutrients. The immunity related diseases may occur due to several factors such as
seasonal change, environment factors, virus attacks, and simple stress. To combat
these, we need to consume immunity-boosting foods and nutrients rich in antioxidants
like Alium sativum, Alium cepa, Citrus limon, Withania somnifera,Moringa oleifera,
Curcuma longa, etc., which can build up the immunity. The traditional system of
medicine like Ayurveda and Siddha system of medicine quoted several traditional
immune-boosting recipes like Maha- sudharshnachoornam, Talisadichoornam,
Dhanavantam, Gulika-churnam, sitophaladichoornam, etc. Several times it is proven
that lifestyle and dietary changes can result in a better immune system. A healthy
lifestyle includes consuming foods which help in boosting immunity. In addition to
keeping a balanced diet in our daily life, there is a necessity for traditional immunityboosting agents simultaneously. Traditional immunity-boosting agents are usually rich
in vitamins, antioxidants, and other minerals and the requisite nutrients for maintaining
equilibrium in the immune system. In this chapter, detailed information about
Traditional immunity-boosting agents will be discussed.
The Indian Cytotoxic Weed Flora and Their Phytochemicals
Page: 49-96 (48)
Author: Prabha Thangavelu*, Jubie Selvaraj, Rashmi Saxena Pal and Vishnu Nayak Badavath
DOI: 10.2174/9789815124699123010007
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
India has rich biodiversity and a large number of medicinal plants that are
weeds. Usually, weeds are seen as troublemakers in the yard and interfere with the
man's land utilization for a specific purpose. Farmers and field botanists recognized
these weeds as medicinal plants such as Adonis vernalis, Phyllanthus amarus, Eclipta
alba, Centella asiatica, etc. used in folk and indigenous medicines. Most of the plants
that are considered weeds have not yet explored phytochemically and
pharmacologically. Simultaneously, many of these weeds were reported for their
secondary metabolites like alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, phenolics, saponins, etc.
having medicinal values like anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities.
Many therapeutically important weeds are more popular in India, like Achyranthes
bidentata, Artemisia nilagirica, etc. with preferable medicinal benefits such as a
diuretic, anti-malarial, and brain tonic. Weeds are storehouses and chemical libraries
with simple to complex bioactive secondary metabolites, which serve as drug leads
against several resistance diseases like cancer and tuberculosis. Weed biomolecules
like Atropine from Atropa belladonna, Berberine from Berberis vulgaris, Colchicine
from Colchicum autumnale, Phenoxodiol from Glycine max, Ingenol 3-angelate from
Euphorbia species, Combretatin from Combre vulgaris have been reported. This
chapter explains various cytotoxic Indian weed flora, reported phytochemicals, drug
leads, ethnomedicinal values, modern pharmacology, mechanism of action and clinical
safety and efficacy issues.
High Throughput Screening Techniques in Anticancer Drug Discovery and Development from Botanicals
Page: 97-121 (25)
Author: Madhavi Patel* and Vishal Patel
DOI: 10.2174/9789815124699123010008
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
Botanicals obtained from nature are the major source of therapeutic
medicines for humans. Utilization of botanicals for a variety of diseases is not
mysterious, and a rapid increase in such therapeutic substances is observed due to their
efficacy and long-term safety. Cancer, as a leading cause of disease worldwide, piques
the interest of researchers seeking novel anticancer agents. Till date, the major share of
cancer medicines is occupied by natural products, and the drug discovery process is
rapidly going on. However, traditional anticancer drug discovery is time-consuming
and herculean. High-throughput screening (HTS) is a tool to make natural product
library screening easy and fast. The advancement of extraction, isolation, and structure
characterization of Phyto actives obtained from botanicals, provides a large number of
compounds for testing via HTS. High-density well plates, a liquid handling platform,
automation, and robotics allow the screening of 100,000 compounds per day.
Anticancer screening of botanicals by HTS can be performed on various cancer cell
lines along with molecular targets, enzyme or protein interaction assays, or the capacity
of the extract to induce apoptosis. After the replication of identified extracts, further
assays are performed for more precise results. HTS screening and computational
methods provide speed and a high degree of sensitivity for anticancer agents and
compress the time required for drug discovery. Advances in HTS technology, such as
ultra-HTS and the use of 3-D cultures, will speed up the process of discovering
anticancer drugs from botanicals. Advanced detection techniques for HTS assays, as
well as instrumental techniques for identified lead compound separation, help to ensure
that the results are neat.
Anticancer Phytochemicals of 21st Century: A Multitargeted Approach and Role of Humanism in Oncology
Page: 122-138 (17)
Author: Jubie Selvaraj*, Motamarri Venkata Naga Lalitha Chaitanya, Akey Krishna Swaroop, Prabha Thangavelu and Rashmi Saxena Pal
DOI: 10.2174/9789815124699123010009
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
Unfortunately, we are living in a century where cancer has become an
epidemic that is uncontrollable. Although the plant kingdom has been explored for
cancer therapeutics due to its antimutagenic, antioxidant, antiproliferative, and
alteration of the human immune system potential; these efforts are still underway due
to inadequate knowledge of their biochemical mechanisms and molecular pathways.
Phytochemicals exert anticancer activity due to their agonistic and antagonistic
potentials on different proteins and enzymes involved in the molecular pathways of
cancer. This classical phytotherapy treatment has various pitfalls, such as resistance,
side effects, and a lack of target specificity. Because of the target-specificity effects,
traditional phytotherapy does not distinguish tumour cells from normal cells. A
multitargeted approach, in which a single phytochemical act on different points of the
same signalling cascade, plays an important role in this regard. Polypharmacology,
system biology, and networking pharmacology are the different terminologies to use to
explain in detail the multitargeting approach. Classical phytotherapy is replaced with
this multitargeted approach where different “omics” such as genomics, epigenomics,
transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and various cytogenic technologies are
involved. In this chapter, the various multitargeted approaches involved in cancer
therapy and the phytochemicals that were prominent in cancer prevention in the 21st
century have been explained. At the end of the chapter, the holistic approach to the
treatment of oncology has also been emphasized.
Importance of In silico Tools in Anticancer Drug Discovery from Nature
Page: 139-164 (26)
Author: Gnana Ruba Priya Muthaiah*, Motamarri Venkata Naga Lalitha Chaitanya, Seema Sajjan Singh Rathore, Maida Engels S.E. and Vishnu Nayak Badavath
DOI: 10.2174/9789815124699123010010
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
Currently, cancer has become one of the most dreadful diseases threatening
human health. Natural plant sources play a vital role in the development of several
anti-cancer drugs such as vincristine, vinblastine, vinorelbine, docetaxel, paclitaxel,
camptothecin, etoposide, teniposide, etc. Various chemotherapies fail due to adverse
reactions, target specificity, and drug resistance of some types of drugs. Researchers
are attentive to developing drugs that overcome the problems stated above by using
natural compounds that may affect multiple targets with reduced adverse effects and
that are effective against several cancer types. The development of a new drug is a
highly complex, expensive, and time-consuming endeavour. In the traditional drug
discovery process, ending with a new medicine ready for the market can take up to 15
years and cost more than one billion dollars. Fortunately, this situation has changed
with the arrival of novel approaches recently. Many new technologies and
methodologies have been developed to increase the efficiency of the drug discovery
process, and computational methodologies utilise the existing data to generate
knowledge that affords valuable understanding for addressing current complications
and guiding the further research and development of new naturally derived drugs.
Consequently, the application of in silico techniques and optimization algorithms in
drug discovery ventures can provide versatile solutions to understand the molecular-level interactions of chemical constituents and identify the hits. Lead optimization
techniques such as ligand-based or structure-based drug design are widely used in
many discovery efforts. In this chapter, we first introduce the concepts of CADD, in
silico tools, etc. we then describe how this virtual screening has been successfully
applied. Furthermore, we review the concept of natural product anticancer therapies and present some of the most representative examples of molecules identified through
this method.
Human Topoisomerases and Caspases: Important Targets in Cancer Therapy
Page: 165-182 (18)
Author: Sandeep Goyal*, Mukesh Gangar*, Aditya Kulkarni and Charu Kamal Yerneni
DOI: 10.2174/9789815124699123010011
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
Cancer has always remained a major challenge to humanity with its rising
morbidity and mortality rate making it uncontrollable. Current treatments for cancer
offer limited efficacy and suffer from serious side effects. With a focus on making
treatment safer and more effective, there is a need to identify novel targets and potent
drugs for these targets. Recent years have witnessed significant progress in the
discovery of targeted cancer therapy. On-going research in this field suggests that
human topoisomerases and caspases are important molecular drug targets for anti-cancer drug development. Topoisomerases are DNA processing enzymes essentially
required to maintain DNA topology during transcription, replication, recombination
and chromosomal decatenation. Several new chemical classes of topoisomerase
inhibitors including natural product derivatives are in clinical trials for the treatment of
various human cancers. Several topoisomerase inhibitors such as topotecan, irinotecan,
camptothecin, teniposide and doxorubicin are clinically approved for various cancers
such as colon cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, and many more. However, many of
these inhibitors have also been associated with serious side effects during
chemotherapy. Emerging data in recent years also suggests the role of topoisomerase
inhibition in immunogenic cell death and activating anticancer immune responses
making them potential combinatorial modalities for cancer immunotherapy. Caspases
[1-12] belong to the family of cysteine-aspartic proteases responsible for the execution
of cell death in apoptotic cells. Caspases play an important role in various non-lethal
biological processes like cell proliferation, cell differentiation, intercellular
communication, and cell migration. The dysregulation of apoptotic signalling pathways
is considered one of the hallmarks of cancer. Hence the focus of cancer therapy is
correcting this aberrant behaviour. Natural products such as alkaloids, flavonoids,
diterpenoids, sesquiterpenes, and polyphenolics have been reported with various
anticancer properties. In this chapter, we have discussed topoisomerases and the
regulation of caspase functions through direct or indirect methods for anticancer drug
discovery.
Cytotoxic Phytochemicals from Mushrooms as Potential Therapeutic Agents
Page: 183-198 (16)
Author: Gana Manjusha Kondepudi*, Rashmi Saxena Pal and Malakapogu Ravindra Babu
DOI: 10.2174/9789815124699123010012
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
Cancer is a collective term for a group of deadly diseases that can affect and
spread to various parts of the body. The main feature of cancer is the uncontrolled
growth of cells due to a defect in the genes that control normal cell division and
growth. As per the latest statistics, cancer is the second-leading cause of death globally,
and almost 70% of these deaths are reported in low- and middle-income countries.
Chemotherapy and irradiation are the most common cancer treatments; however, the
development of resistance and severe side effects are the stumbling blocks of these
methods. Hence, current research has focused more on developing novel drug leads
from new sources like algae and fungi. Fungi, such as mushrooms, are an inexhaustible
source of various anticancer biomolecules, and the 21st century saw a staggering
interest in the anticancer potential of mushrooms among the western exploration clique.
Their cellular and humoral immunity-boosting properties have made them better
candidates for anticancer drug discovery. The mushrooms attributed with cytotoxic
potential belong to various genera like Vargenus Agrocybe, Amanita, Antrodia,
Agaricus, Albatrellus Conocybe, Clitocybe, Cordyceps, Clavatia, Flammulina, Funlia,
Fomes, Galerina, Gymnopilus, Ganoderma, Hypholoma, Inonotus, Inocybe, Lentinula,
Lactarius, Panaeolus, Psilocybe, Plerurotus, Pholiotina, Pluteus, Russula, Suillus,
Schizophyllum, Trametes, Xerocomus, and Weraroa. Hence, the current chapter
focuses on the botanical description, phytochemistry, mechanism of action, and clinical
status of various vital mushrooms acting as essential libraries of anticancer drug leads.
Spirulina: A Living Library of Anticancer Phytochemicals
Page: 199-209 (11)
Author: Awotunde Oluwasegun Samson*, Omogbadegun Olu Richard and Mugambwa Joseph Yusuf
DOI: 10.2174/9789815124699123010013
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the
potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. It is one of the major causes of
human death, especially in developing countries. Alternative cancer treatments using
medicinal plants are exploited because plants produce phytochemical compounds,
which are secondary metabolites used for natural defence but could also be useful in
inhibiting cancer growth. Medicinal plants also have limited side effects and toxicity as
compared to conventional chemotherapy and irradiation treatments. Hence there is a
need to develop novel drugs from other sources like plants, fungi, and algae. Spirulina
is a blue-green alga with three species: Spirulina platensis, Spirulina fusiformis, and
Spirulina maxima. Spirulina platensis and Spirulina maxima are consumable by
humans in the form of dietary supplements, as they are enriched with important
nutrients and a library of phytochemicals that can improve immunity and levels of
blood lipids, lower blood sugar and blood pressure, and prevent oxidation. These
activities of Spirulina phytochemicals make them a good candidate for anticancer
therapy. Therefore, this chapter describes the botanical classification, phytochemical
composition, and anticancer characteristics of Spirulina and with a specific focus on
Spirulina platensis.
Terpenoids A Potential Scaffold for Cancer Therapy: A Mechanistic Approach
Page: 210-248 (39)
Author: Surya Kant Tripathi, Stuti Biswal, Munmun Panda and Bijesh Kumar Biswal*
DOI: 10.2174/9789815124699123010014
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
Cancer remains the most devastating disease that threatens public health
with increasing incidence year by year worldwide. The anti-cancer property of
naturally derived compounds appears to be a promising approach in cancer therapy.
Terpenoids, generally known as terpenes, belong to the most abundant secondary
metabolites class and extensively occur in various medicinal plants, fruits, and
vegetables. Most of the terpenoids are non-toxic in nature and a ubiquitous part of the
human diet. To date, approximately 50,000 terpenoids have been known in nature, and
most of them have their use in traditional as well as modern medicinal systems. Based
on the number of cyclic structures, terpenoids have been classified into eight main
classes such as hemiterpenoids, monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, diterpenoids,
sesterterpenoids, triterpenoids, tetraterpenoids, and polyterpenoids. Terpenoids have
shown several biological and pharmaceutical significances, including anticancer
activity. The literature study revealed that terpenoids exhibit anticancer activity against
various human cancers via inhibiting the initiation and progression of tumor growth in
vitro and in vivo. In addition, many terpenoids inhibit cell proliferation, invasion,
metastasis, and angiogenesis which promote apoptosis of various cancer cells via
inhibiting various deregulated oncogenic intracellular signaling pathways. Moreover,
the pre-clinical anticancer efficacy of terpenoids supports their clinical application as
an anticancer therapeutic. This chapter attempts to provide a comprehensive overview
of recent advancements and mechanistic progress on terpenoids as cancer therapeutic
Cytotoxic Phytochemical library of Rosmarinus Officinalis
Page: 249-269 (21)
Author: Maida Engels S.E.*, Motamarri Venkata Naga Lalitha Chaitanya, Gnana Ruba Priya Muthaiah, Kuppuswamy Uma and Rashmi Saxena Pal
DOI: 10.2174/9789815124699123010015
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
Globally, the prevalence of cancer has escalated at an alarming rate, and it
has become a major health problem. The World Health Organization reported that one
in six deaths is due to cancer. Despite the advantages of current chemotherapy
available for cancer treatment, the development of resistance and severe side effects
continuously insist cancer research focus on the discovery of new entities, especially
from natural sources. In the last few decades, varieties of dietary herbs have been
explored for their cytotoxic potential. Rosmarinus officinalis, a well-known culinary
herb commonly known as rosemary, is not only used to enhance the flavour but also
possesses medicinal values. The Rosmarinus officinalis plant extract and its essential
oil are packed with different phenolic acids and terpenoids. Rosmarinus officinalis has
anti-cancer, anti-proliferative, protective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant
properties, according to several in vitro and in vivo studies. The antitumor activity of
Rosmarinus officinalis is correlated with different molecular mechanisms such as
reactive oxygen species scavenging, the on-co-suppressor gene expression, apoptosis,
and immunomodulatory response regulation. So this chapter mainly focuses on the
cytotoxic activities of Rosmarinus officinalis and the molecular mechanisms
responsible for their anticancer activities. Also, possibilities of utilising the extracts,
essential oils, and phytochemicals of Rosmarinus officinalis as potential therapeutic
agents or complementary therapies with chemotherapeutic agents for cancer treatment
have been discussed.
Cannabis in the Treatment of Various Cancers and its Current Global Scenario
Page: 270-283 (14)
Author: Swati Patil* and Mandar Mulik
DOI: 10.2174/9789815124699123010016
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
Cannabis has been used as a drug for centuries, possibly much longer before
it was recognised as an illegal substance. The prime psychoactive property is marked
on the 9-THC compound. The cannabinoids replicate the action of endocannabinoids
by stimulating receptors in the central nervous system and lymphatic system via
diligent CB1 and CB2, respectively. Cannabinoids, on the other hand, are well known
for their dependency, which is less severe than that of other drugs that can be abused.
Cannabis' anti-tumor and anti-cancer potential was only discovered at the turn of the
twentieth century. Cannabis consumption has been reported to benefit patients with
cancer by suppressing nausea, curbing vomiting, elevating appetite, alleviating pain,
and pacifying anxiety. Studies envisage that the up-regulation of CB receptors and their
associated endogenous ligands correlates with the suppression of tumours. Patients
have found cannabis to be effective in reducing side effects and relieving pain when
used in conjunction with chemotherapy. Though cannabis prescription is restricted
under federal laws in many countries, its lucrative efficacy profile has pushed
regulators to reconsider its use in medical causes such as cancer. This chapter is an
attempt to emphasise the biological role of cannabis in cancer pathophysiology
Modern Nanotherapeutic Approaches in The Delivery of Phyto Pharmceuticals in Anti Cancer Research
Page: 284-303 (20)
Author: Pavan Kumar Chintamaneni*, Sai Kiran S.S. Pindiprolu, Nandhakumar Sathyamoorthy, Motamarri Venkata Naga Lalitha Chaitanya, Rashmi Saxena Pal and Malakapogu Ravindra Babu
DOI: 10.2174/9789815124699123010017
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
Cancer has become one of the leading causes of human morbidity and
mortality worldwide. A promising approach to tumour prevention is to eliminate cancer
cells, preferably with less harm to neighbouring normal cells. Due to the disadvantages
associated with current chemotherapy and radiation therapy, there is an increasing
interest in developing novel delivery strategies for these natural products. Many
phytochemicals show promise in cancer prevention and treatment due to their
biocompatibility, low cytotoxicity, low resistance, and dynamic physiochemical
properties that discriminate normal cells in the treatment of various cancer types.
However, their low aqueous solubility, poor stability, unfavourable bioavailability, and
low target specificity make their administration at therapeutic doses unrealistic.
Recently developed nanotechnology has transformed drug delivery concepts and paved
the way for the development of phytochemical-loaded nanoparticles for cancer
prevention and treatment. Polymeric nanoparticles, lipid nanoparticles, carbon-based
nanoparticles, and cell-derived nanoparticles can increase the stability and solubility of
phytochemicals and also help in overcoming the disadvantages associated with
conventional chemotherapy and phytochemicals. In the current chapter, we have mentioned the importance of nanotechnology in the delivery of phytochemicals and also
added a note on the significance of delivery with current chemotherapeutics, including
present challenges and future perspectives.
Subject Index
Page: 304-309 (6)
Author: Motamarri Venkata Naga Lalitha Chaitanya, Galvina Pereira and Heyam Saad Ali
DOI: 10.2174/9789815124699123010018
Introduction
This book provides a holistic view of natural products and remedies that have been used to treat cancer. The editors aim to educate readers about the importance of the translational role of natural products in cancer treatment by compiling 14 chapters. The book emphasizes an integrative approach to the topic by blending traditional knowledge that supports alternative therapies with the science of phytochemicals and drug discovery technologies as a means to manage the disease. Key topics include alternative therapies (such as aromatherapy and immune boosting herbal medications), cytotoxic and anti-cancer phytochemicals, drug delivery and discovery technologies (including high-throughput screening) and some drug targets of interest for cancer treatment (such as topoisomerases and caspases). Readers will be able to learn about natural sources of ant-cancer compounds, and the methods used by research and development experts in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries to isolate and formulate these compounds. This book will be a handy resource for a wide range of readers. This includes researchers, traditional medical practitioners, PG students, Ph.D. scholars and general readers to understand the role of natural products in cancer treatment. key features - Explains the importance of alternative therapies in the management of cancer - Emphasizes the ethnopharmacological approaches to cancer - Explores natural anticancer drug libraries - Discusses the role of modern cancer targets and the importance of in-silico tools in anticancer drug discovery - Addresses modern drug discovery tools and drug delivery technologies concerning their applications in cancer treatment. - Includes references for further reading