Novel Anticancer Drugs and Targeted Therapies: Pharmacological Developments and Future Perspectives

AbstractCancer remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide despite significant advancements in diagnosis and treatment. Conventional chemotherapy, although effective in certain cases, is often associated with systemic toxicity, drug resistance, and limited specificity. Recent pharmacological developments have focused on novel anticancer drugs and targeted therapies that selectively act on molecular pathways involved in tumor growth and progression. These therapies include targeted small-molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, immunotherapies, antibody–drug conjugates, and gene-based approaches. Advances in molecular biology, genomics, and personalized medicine have enabled the identification of specific biomarkers that guide targeted treatment strategies. While these therapies have improved survival outcomes and reduced adverse effects compared to traditional chemotherapy, challenges such as resistance, cost, and accessibility remain. This review highlights recent pharmacological developments in anticancer drugs, mechanisms of targeted therapies, clinical advancements, and future perspectives in precision oncology.