Fig. 1.

The milestone of cancer therapy development. This timeline illustrates the significant advancements in cancer therapy over the past 170 year. Beginning with the adoption of general anesthesia for surgical procedures in the mid-1800s and the groundbreaking invention of X-rays by Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen in the late 19th century, which paved the way for radiation therapy combined with surgery, the field of oncology has witnessed a series of transformative treatments.Key developments include the introduction of chemotherapy during World War II, the advent of immunotherapy, and the more recent progress in gene therapy. The 1990s marked a turning point with the FDA approval of BCG for bladder cancer treatment and Rituximab for B-cell lymphomas, initiating the era of targeted therapies. Trastuzumab and Imatinib further revolutionized the treatment of breast cancer and chronic myeloid leukemia, respectively. The new millennium brought targeted therapies for non-small cell lung cancer with drugs like Gefitinib and Erlotinib, and the first anti-angiogenic drug, Bevacizumab, which targeted tumor blood supply. Rigvir’s approval in Latvia for melanoma treatment signified the global reach of cancer advancements. The successful application of CAR-T cell therapy by Carl June in 2011 and the FDA approval of Pembrolizumab and Nivolumab in 2014 for melanoma treatment highlighted the potential of immunotherapy. Preventive measures also evolved, as evidenced by the approval of the nine-valent Gardasil 9 vaccine, offering broader protection against HPV strains linked to cervical cancer. The resurgence of oncolytic viruses was evident with the approval of T-VEC and Delytact for melanoma and malignant glioma, respectively. The 2020 s have introduced targeted therapies for KRAS gene mutations with Sotorasib and the combination of atezolizumab and bevacizumab as a preferred first-line treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma, as endorsed by the NCCN guidelines in 2021. This figure encapsulates the continuous innovation and dedication to enhancing cancer care, reflecting the dynamic nature of the fight against cancer and the pursuit of improved patient outcomes. This figure was created with Biorender.com