In today’s world, when we talk about serious diseases like cancer, the first things that come to our mind are conventional treatments like chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. These measures have been the mainstream in cancer treatment for decades. But are they enough? Are the needs of every patient the same?
In search of answers to these questions, the medical world has chosen the path of emerging technology like Theranostics. It is not just a method of treatment but a personalized medicine revolution, which decides the treatment according to the needs of every patient.
What is Theranostics?
The word “Theranostics” is made up of two English words – Therapy and Diagnostics. Its basic idea is – first diagnose the disease accurately, then give personalized treatment to the patient on that basis.
- Conventional cancer treatments are often applied equally to all patients.
- But Theranostics believes that every patient’s disease, body response and needs are different.
In this, personalized cancer therapy is given using advanced imaging technology, molecular diagnostics and targeted drugs.
Why is it necessary to move beyond traditional treatments?
Chemotherapy and radiation have saved millions of lives, but they also have limited effects and side effects:
- Side effects: hair loss, vomiting, fatigue, possibility of infection.
- Low accuracy: Healthy cells are also affected.
- Not the same effect on every patient: Treatment is successful in some patients, while not in others.
In such a situation, theranostics is a new ray of hope. It directly targets cancer cells and causes minimal damage to healthy parts of the body.
How does theranostics work?
The process of theranostics can be understood in simple words as follows:
Diagnosis
- Doctors first accurately identify cancer cells with advanced imaging (such as PET-CT scan, molecular scanning).
- In this, special biomarkers are detected.
Targeted Therapy
- A drug or radiotherapy agent that recognizes the same biomarker is prepared.
- This drug goes directly to the cancer cells and destroys them.
Monitoring of progress
- With the same technology, it is constantly checked how the patient is responding to the treatment.
- That is, theranostics is an integrated model in which both investigation and treatment go hand in hand.
Role of Theranostics in Targeted Oncology
Targeted Oncology means targeting only the diseased cells in the treatment of cancer, and not affecting the entire body.
Theranostics works as the main pillar in this.
- It helps doctors understand which patient will respond better to which type of drug or therapy.
- This reduces unwanted side effects and increases the success of treatment.
Major benefits of theranostics
- Personalized Medicine – Different plan for every patient.
- Fewer side effects – Healthy cells are protected.
- High accuracy – Direct effect only on cancer cells.
- Better monitoring – Progress of treatment can be seen continuously.
- High success rate – Getting the right treatment at the right time increases the chances of recovery of the patient.
In which types of cancer is theranostics effective?
So far, in research and practice, theranostics have given excellent results especially in these cancers:
- Prostate cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs)
- Lung and breast cancer in some cases
As research progresses, it is expected that in the future this technology will prove useful in many more types of cancer.
Research and future direction
- Researchers around the world are working on making theranostics more accessible and affordable.
- With the help of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and machine learning, the behavior of cancer cells can now be predicted in advance.
- In the future, this technology can prove to be effective not only in cancer but also in other serious diseases like Alzheimer’s and heart disease.
Status of Theranostics in India
- Many cancer research institutes and hospitals in India are working towards adopting this technology:
- Institutes like AIIMS and Tata Memorial have advanced imaging and targeted treatment facilities.
- However, cost and awareness are still big challenges.
- Gradually, government and private efforts are trying to make it accessible to the common people.
Message for patients
If a patient or his family hears that there is no improvement even after traditional treatment, there is no need to be disappointed. Modern technologies like Theranostics are available today that provide new options and new hope.
Conclusion
Traditional cancer treatments have saved the lives of millions of people, but science did not stop there. Technologies like theranostics prove that the medicine of the future will not be just “one size fits all” but rather “differentiated medicine for each patient.”