Small Molecules in Treatment of Breast Cancer

Abstract

Breast cancer is the second highest prevalent disease and is considered to be among the highly prominent world's leading causes of death. While it has been prevalent since centuries, its treatment has been tedious and unreliable until the later years. Its forms of diagnosis include surgeries, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy includes treatment by various small molecules along with various immunological products such as antibodies. These agents can target the tumor region specifically to provide effective treatment of cancer. Recently, there has been a rise in the development of various small molecules in treatment of BC. The USFDA has approved a number of such small molecules for its treatment. This includes various kinase inhibitors, antimetabolites, endocrine therapy, hormonal therapy etc. Plenty clinical trials are being conducted to determine the efficacy of such small molecules as well as their combination therapies in various breast cancer subtypes. The following review discusses all the approved small molecules for treatment of BC, the clinical trial findings of them and their resistance.