The Race to Remission: A Systematic Review of Systemic Cancer Treatments to Analyze and Estimate What Will Be the Most Prominent Treatment for Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in 10 Years
WEN, Emma
DOI: http://doi.org/10.34614/2022IYRC64
Category: STEM
Abstract – Cancer has threatened the world for thousands of years, resulting in the deaths of millions and leaving many patients with life crippling effects. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) accounts for a large portion of all pediatric leukemia cases, which by itself is the most common childhood cancer. Systemic treatments, such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, are crucial for the treatment of ALL since they target the entire body; therefore, this study aims to conclude which systemic treatment will be the most used in 10 years. Two reputable platforms (PubMed and ProQuest) were screened, and 26 studies were reviewed. The data recorded included negative or positive effects of the drug presented (if any) and what treatment is generally focused on in that study. Undoubtedly, chemotherapy has played a huge role in managing this exceptionally hard to remove disease, but the dangerous amounts of toxicity that follows makes it objectionable. On the other hand, targeted therapy provides little complications but lacks enough research. Whereas immunotherapy is a sought-after alternative that can limit the toxicities associated with chemotherapy. The dangers connected with immunotherapy are detectable, but with the amount of research that exists and more that is most likely to follow, they are likely to subside. In other words, it is evident that immunotherapy will be most used in 10 years for children with ALL. With this research, the same approach can be taken to different types of cancer as well as population groups to help develop more effective and less toxic drugs.