Anticancer

Anticancer activity is the ability of a drug or compound to slow the growth of cancer cells, or even kill them, thereby preventing the spread of cancer. This is usually done by targeting specific molecules involved in the growth, survival, and spread of cancer cells. The most common approach is to interfere with the cell cycle, either by blocking cell division or killing rapidly dividing cells. Other approaches include targeting specific proteins involved in the growth or spread of cancer cells, inhibiting angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels which cancer cells need to thrive), and targeting apoptosis (cell death) pathways. Anticancer drugs can be used to treat a variety of cancers, including those of the breast, lung, colon, prostate, and blood.