Cancer Research in the UK: Literature Review and Research Methodology

This dissertation highlights a literature review and research methodology for cancer research in the United Kingdom. The discussion also revolves around the analysis and evaluation of literature reviews for the purpose of investigating this research.

Cancer Research
UK
Dissertation

Contents
ABSTRACT.....................................................................................................................................3
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................................6
Search strategy.............................................................................................................................6
Database used...............................................................................................................................6
Research method..........................................................................................................................6
Research choice...........................................................................................................................6
Research tools and techniques.....................................................................................................6
RESULT..........................................................................................................................................7
DISCUSSION..................................................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

ABSTRACT
Cancer is a disease which is characterized by the abnormal and uncontrollable division of
cells and body tissues. Cancer is the second leading cause of death as cancer cells have the
ability to infiltrate normal body tissues and cells. There are a variety of symptoms associated
with cancer such as fatigue, changes in weight, unintended weight loss and persistent cough or
trouble breathing. Cancer research UK is an independent organisation specializing in cancer
research. This research institute ensures implementation of basic and clinical research for
addressing the causes behind prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
INTRODUCTION
Cancer research institution in the United Kingdom provides support to the National
Health Service for early diagnosis and better delivery of care for executing improvement patient
outcomes. Cancer is a complicated disorder, that has the potential to make changes in the DNA
of the patient making it difficult to treat the disease (Straathof and et. al., 2018). This dissertation
highlights a literature review and research methodology for cancer research in the United
Kingdom. The discussion also revolves around the analysis and evaluation of literature reviews
for the purpose of investigating this research.
LITERATURE REVIEW
New approaches and procedures for cancer treatment: Current perspectives, 2021 [Online]
Available through < https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8366192/ >
The above-mentioned article was presented by Debela and et. al., 2021. This particular
article articulates new approaches and procedures that are currently enrolled in the treatment of
cancer. Even though, there are various conventional treatment approaches that are already in use,
yet significant advances have been implemented in this field such as stem cell therapy, targeted
therapy and use of nanoparticles for the treatment of cancer. The new advancement in the
treatment of cancer involve a combination of multiple therapies for increasing the survival rate
and reducing the mortality rate (Drost and Clevers, 2018). These therapies have been found to
have synergistic effects in reducing the abnormal growth of cancer cells. The most widely
treatment method for treating cancer is through surgery and chemotherapy. These strategies
involve the surgical removal of tumours, which is followed by radiotherapy. However, radiation
is known to damage t healthy cells and organs inside the body. Therefore, a more target based

approach is important to be implemented. Conventional treatment methods are known to show
side effects and other difficulties such as lack of specificity, rapid metabolism of drug etc.
Advanced research therapies for the treatment of cancer involves, stem cell therapy and targeted
drug therapy. The undifferentiated stem cells, located in the bone marrow, is considered a safe
and effective treatment option for cancer as it will allow researchers to use these cells in the
generation and replacement of the damaged tissue (Fricker, 2021). The mechanism of action in
targeted drug therapies involves the interference of growth molecules that restrict the growth and
differentiation of cancer cells. The implementation of various signalling pathways will induce
apoptosis, which will restrict the supply of blood to cancerous tumours through inhibition of
angiogenic factors.
Innovative approaches for cancer treatment: current perspectives and new challenges, 2019
[Online] Available through < https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6753017/ >
This particular article was presented by Pucci and et. al., 2019. The article highlights the
use of gene therapy, nanomedicine, thermal ablation and immunotherapy as the most innovative
advances developed in the treatment of cancer. The review of this article provides a general
overview about the application of advanced therapies in context to diagnosis and treatment of
cancer. The use of nanomedicine is considered extremely effective in increasing the
bioavailability and concentration of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs around tumours. This
improves the overall release profile of chemotherapeutic drugs within the vicinity of cancerous
tumour. Gene therapy is an important therapy method, which acts as triggering factor for
apoptosis and suppression of tumours. Gene therapy works from silencing the mediation of
siRNAs (Phillips and et. al., 2020). However, the therapy is still under evaluation. Another
intervention for treatment of cancer involves thermal ablation of tumours, where the treatment
method opens up new opportunities for a localised and precise treatment of cancer tumours. The
concept of targeted therapy revolves around active targeting, where researchers exploit ligands
for interaction with the antigen. Developments and advances related to radiotherapy has the
potential to spare the normal tissue from getting destroyed from radiations. These antibodies bind
to various growth receptors and enhance the apoptotic activity, leading to a significant decline in
number of cancer cells. Immunotherapy involves the use of naked antibodies for restoring of the
immune system of the patient. The restored immune system will then produce antibodies, which

will further act as markers for cancer cells. This entire process will make cancerous cell growth
vulnerable and exposed to the immune system.
Depression and anxiety among people living with and beyond cancer: a growing clinical and
research priority, 2019 [Online] Available through <
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6788022/ >
The above-mentioned article highlights a growing clinical issue which has become a
priority for researchers in recent times. This article articulates the prevalence of depression and
anxiety among people diagnosed with cancer. It is well-known that the diagnosis of cancer has a
negative impact on the mental health and well-being of patients. Symptoms of depression and
anxiety have the potential to restrict the overall process of recovery, thereby, impacting the
quality of life (Araghi and et. al., 2019). For the purpose of this particular research, various
electronic databases were reviewed for better understanding about the risk factors, contributing
to fostering of anxiety and depression among cancer patients. It was found that several
psychological, social and contextual factors increase the risk of development of mental health
disorders. Upon comparison, it was analysed that the prevalence of anxiety was extremely high
in cancer patient. The diagnosis of co-morbid depression and anxiety should be supported along
with preventive care of cancer. Several demographic factors, such as age, gender, lack of social
support etc., contributes to an increased risk of depression. Individual risk factors, personality
factors, and factors related to structural level determine the overall prevalence of mental health
issues in cancer patients. The entire process of cancer diagnosis can significantly impact the level
of illness and act as a source of distress. Increased feelings of shame and guilt is directly linked
to appearance of symptoms. The onset of depression and anxiety can make the patient resort to
unhealthy coping strategies, such as smoking and excessive drinking. These maladaptive
practices can increase the intensity of mental health issues. The use of diagnostic interviews
indicates that the mean prevalence of depression is around 13% (Shankar and et. al. 2022).
However, the overall prevalence rate rose up to 49%. This variation is due to patients going
through different stages of cancer, or cancer treatment. A crucial aspect that was studied among
cancer patients is that the onset of depression and anxiety was higher in initial phases of
treatment. The increased anxiety was due to the fear of recurrence. The fear of recurrence occurs
when needs of the patient are are met. The articles describes that the level of anxiety was the
highest in pre-treatment, which is 27%. The rate of mental issues was the lowest during post-

treatment with 18%. It is important to acknowledge that there has been no or very little research
conducted in the analysis of long-term psychological impact of cancer. The prevalence of mental
health issues among cancer patients negatively impact the patient outcomes in individuals along
with an increase in cognitive impairment. The prevalence of these co-morbid conditions also
depend on the healthcare facility and welfare system in which the patient is getting treated
(Kennedy, 2022).
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Search strategy
The sources of data used of the conduction of this secondary research were retrieved from
PubMed, ResearchGate, SpringerLink etc. These data sources consists of ample information that
were aligned and curated for the purpose of this research based dissertation. Multiple sources of
data were collected to reduce the effect of bias. This is because the presence of bias may lead to
misleading of information. The effectiveness of new approaches help in determining advances
related to treatment of cancer. The data used for the purpose of this research was well validates
along with execution of literature review procedures. The ethical standards and reliability of
these data sources was confirmed prior to conduction of secondary research.
Database used
The databases used for the conduction of this research are PubMed Central, Cochrane
library, EMBASE, CINHAL and UpToDate.
Research method
The method used for the purpose of this report is the Secondary Research method.
Research choice
Researchers employed the use of Qualitative research for successful conduction of this
dissertation.
Research tools and techniques
Research tools and techniques used for this qualitative research-based literature review
are public figures, rating and attitude scales, libraries and related resources, human mind and
language.

RESULT
The analysis of above literature review cerebrates the understanding and knowledge
about major advances that have occurred in cellular biology, pharmacology and immunology,
that have been used in progressive treatment of cancer. These discoveries have aided in reversal
and prevention of resistance mechanism which occurs due to expression of MDR1 gene. There
evaluation gives an insight about the great opportunities that are offered by discovery of new
therapeutic targets (Mould and et. al., 2018). These new approaches to cancer care are mostly
based on targeted drug therapies. These substances inhibit the growth and spreading of cancer by
interacting with specific molecules, involved in growth and progression of cancerous tumours.
Research based evidence suggests that there is no one evident cure for cancer, rather each and
every patient will treated based on their specific needs. The mutation that occurs in cancer cells
is considered as the centre for new therapies. It is important to acknowledge that the combination
of therapies aids in precision therapy for targeting of tumours. Innovations related to cancer
treatment need to be supported for minimizing the impact of side effects on normal or non-
cancerous tissues.
DISCUSSION
Cancer research is the identification of causes of cancer along with the development of
strategies for its prevention, diagnosis and cure. Proper research about cancer has the potential to
save lives of patient (Parra-Soto and et. al., 2022). The effectiveness of current conventional
treatment measures is subsided by side effects, that are produced as a result of damage to
healthy tissues. Cancer research treatment is important for reducing the impact of side effects
through the introduction of alternative approaches and treatment measures. Researchers must
develop ways for lessening the long-term adverse effects of cancer and introduce safe and
effective therapies for enhancing the quality of life among patients and increasing their patient
outcomes (Zhongming and et. al., 2019). The future of cancer research is based on the use of
molecularly targeted therapies and immunotherapy as these measures have revolutionized the
treatment of cancer. It has become possible for restoring the function of tumour suppressor
proteins in humans, whose availability has the potential to act as hallmark for progression in
treatment of cancer. The approach used for the additional investments in treatment of cancer
research comprises of development of new cancer therapies which include involvement of
molecularly targeted therapies. These therapies can be implemented by successful identification

of predictive biomarkers. An effective understanding of mechanism related to drug resistance
will decrease the possible of treatment failures in patients. However, these benefits of the
treatment need to be monitored beforehand, for increasing the effectiveness of treatment
measures (Cho and Shin, 2022).
CONCLUSION
From the presentation of above dissertation, it can be concluded that the treatment of
cancer produces a variety of side effects. These side effects are produced when healthy tissues
and organs are affected along with targeted cells. Therefore, it is important to introduce new
forms of cancer treatment that produces no or very little side effects. These approaches for
intervention of cancer comprise of immunotherapy, ablation cancer therapy, stem cell therapy
and gene therapy. The emergence of genomics and expression of gene microarrays have
revolutionized the treatment of cancer. Exploitation and usage of molecular biology aids in t
developing target based therapeutic interventions. There are alternative therapies to
chemotherapy, through which side effects are eliminated.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Araghi, M., Soerjomataram, I., Bardot, A., Ferlay, J., Cabasag, C.J., Morrison, D.S., De, P.,
Tervonen, H., Walsh, P.M., Bucher, O. and Engholm, G., 2019. Changes in colorectal
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Drost, J. and Clevers, H., 2018. Organoids in cancer research. Nature Reviews Cancer, 18(7),
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Fricker, J., 2021. Gordon McVie: medical oncologist who helped drive the formation of Cancer
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Kennedy, B., 2022. Obinutuzumab as consolidation after chemo-immunotherapy: Results of the
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Mould, T., Brand, A., Nijman, H., Ledermann, J.A., Edmondson, R.J., Twigg, J., Hudson, E.,
Creutzberg, C.L., Singh, N., Ganesan, R. and Feeney, A., 2018. STATEC: A randomised
trial of non-selective versus selective adjuvant therapy in high risk apparent stage 1
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Parra-Soto, S., Malcomson, F.C., Ho, F.K., Pell, J.P., Sharp, L., Mathers, J.C. and Celis-Morales,
C., 2022. Associations of A Body Shape Index (ABSI) with Cancer Incidence, All-Cause,
and at 23 Sites—Findings from the UK Biobank Prospective Cohort StudyABSI and
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Phillips, E.H., Lannon, M.M., Lopes, A., Chadwick, H., Jones, G., Sieniawski, M., Davies, A.,
Wood, K., Clifton-Hadley, L., Smith, P. and Lawrie, A., 2020. Author Correction: High-
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Shankar, A., Hall, G.W., McKay, P., Gallop‐Evans, E., Fielding, P. and Collins, G.P., 2022.
Management of children and adults with all stages of nodular lymphocyte predominant
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