Page 516 - AWSAR 2.0

492 || AWSAR Awarded Popular Science Stories - 2019
A Brief Tale of the Development of Platinum-Based Nano- Theranostic System Destined to Treat Breast Cancer
Ms. Puja Patel*
Email: pujapatel16@gmail.com
It is a well-known fact that breast cancer is the utmost menace among women, causing morbidity and mortality worldwide.
Nevertheless, its emergence is high in developing countries, including India. The reason is lack of knowledge and awareness within the society. Like most of the other cancers, it remains typically asymptomatic in the early stage; however, with the passage of time, it gradually transforms into a persistent physical change with marked abnormalities in the mammary tissue. Of note, the conversion of normal cells into neoplastic cells and eventually to malignant tumors is a plodding process through which the tumor acquires what Hanahan and Weinberg baptized “hallmarks of cancer.” It imparts the tumor microenvironment, and its key features include
uncontrolled proliferation, loss of apoptosis, angiogenesis,evasionoftheimmunesystem, invasion to the nearby tissues, and metastasis. Taking this into account, early diagnosis is the best way to curtail its effects and improve the survival rate. This often includes mammography, which is the most commonly used screening method to detect early stages of breast cancer.
Coming to the management steps, the most reliable treatment procedure includes the combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. However, due to its intricate nature and heterogeneity, a more diversified and to- the-core treatment stratagem is required to get a gutsy response. Among all, the most crucial role is played by chemotherapy, which
* Ms. Puja Patel, PhD Scholar from Alagappa University, Tamil Nadu, is pursuing her research on “Molecular Insights of Platinum-Based Theranostic System Targeting Breast Cancer Cell Line(s)”. Her popular science story entitled “A Brief Tale of the Development of Platinum-Based Nano-Theranostic System Destined to Treat Breast Cancer” has been selected for AWSAR Award.