What Are the Challenges in Cancer Pharmacodynamics?
Several challenges exist in the pharmacodynamics of cancer therapy:
- Heterogeneity of Tumors: Cancer cells can vary significantly within the same tumor, making it difficult to predict how the tumor will respond to treatment. - Drug Resistance: Cancer cells can develop resistance to drugs through various mechanisms, such as mutations in target proteins or increased drug efflux. - Side Effects: Many anticancer drugs have a narrow therapeutic index, meaning they can cause significant side effects even at therapeutic doses. Balancing efficacy and toxicity is a critical challenge.
