1Pharmacy School, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
2Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zarqa University, Zarqa, Jordan
3Collage of Pharmacy, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, National University of Science and Technology, Dhi Qar, Iraq
4Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Al-Zahraa University for Women, Karbala, Iraq
5Department of Pharmacy, Kut University College, Alkut, Wasit, 52001, Iraq
6Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, Iraq
7Department of Pharmacology, Collage of Pharmacy, Al-Nisour University College, Baghdad, Iraq
8Dr Hany Akeel Institute, Iraqi Medical Research Center, Baghdad, 10001, Iraq
9Al-Manara College for Medical Sciences, Department of Pharmacy, Amarah, Iraq
*Corresponding Author E-mail: alianweralk@gmail.com
Online Published on 06 May, 2025.
Chemotherapy used for the treatment of cancer has many troubling side effects besides its known harmful effect on the immune system. For example, its toxic collateral effects and the associated inflammation significantly impact the patient’s quality of life. This hypothesis and theory article describes strategies for reducing chemotherapy collateral effects. The research showed that several drugs, antioxidants, and herbal preparations may help reduce Chemotherapy side effects.In conclusion, it becomes clear that chemotherapy has tragic collateral effects, and strategies to achieve a better balance between tumor-growth inhibition and the minimization of chemotherapy side effects without affecting the immune system are necessary. However, challenges such as the unclear mechanism of action, potential herbal-drug interactions, and variability in the composition and quality of herbal extracts need to be addressed to facilitate their clinical application. Furthermore, evidence suggests that supportive education and training for patients and caregivers can enhance self-care behaviors to manage chemotherapy-induced side effects better.
Chemotherapy, Cancer, Side effects, Anti-oxidant, Nanotechnology
