Cancer is a global adversary that will unlikely ever have a universal cure. Nearly one in six deaths worldwide in 2020 has been due to cancer, having resulted in around 10 million deaths (World Health Organization, 2025). An umbrella term for more than 100 known types (Cancer, 2025), cancer continuously evolves alongside humanity, interacting with the ever changing environments of the world (Ciriello et al., 2023). Despite its inevitable nature, numerous cutting-edge medical treatments are introduced and approved for use annually, each targeted for a specific subtype and demographics using novel methodologies.
Chemotherapy development is a rapidly advancing field of research, pioneering innovation in the worldwide battle against cancer and other cell tumors. Alongside surgery and radiation therapy, chemotherapy is a type of oncological treatment that uses drugs to kill tumor cells, prevent its spread and/or alleviate its pain. Administered by oncologists, different types of chemotherapy react differently with various areas of the body, targeting and attacking tumor cells based on their location and stage of progression (Professional, Chemotherapy, 2025). Celebrating the innovations brought by newly developed chemotherapeutic treatments, the following are drugs recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for their safety and efficacy.
Whether tumor cells are cancerous and can uncontrollably spread throughout the body, or are locally aggressive to tumors. Validated on March 11th, 2025, Mirdametnib is an orally applied antitumor medication developed and distributed by Gomekli. Manufactured for patients of or over two years of age with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a genetic condition where tumors develop on the skin and nerves, Miradametnib serves as an alternative to tricky, high-risk surgeries for patients simultaneously with tumors on the tissues that protect the nerves, or plexiform neurofibromas (PN). When surgery cannot completely remove the non-cancerous tumors on the skin and nerves due to its proximity with other vital parts of the body, Mirdametnib can be administered to what cannot be completely resected (Research, FDA approves mirdametinib, 2025). As a type of kinase inhibitor, Mirdametnib slows down cells and makes them inactive (NCI). Clinical trials for Mirdametnib were proven successful through the assessment of the Overall Response Rate, or the percentage in which targeted PN disappeared with the usage of the drug, which was 41% for adults and 52% for pediatric patients. Minor side effects reported from trials include rash, diarrhea, and musculoskeletal pain (Research, FDA approves mirdametinib, 2025).
Not all chemotherapeutic drugs are designed for cancerous tumors only. Vimseltnib is an antitumor medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration on February 14th, 2025 (Research, FDA approves vimseltinib, 2025). Developed by Romvimza, Vimseltnib is an oral treatment proven effective in alleviating tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT), a cell tumor of the joint that is not life threatening yet can potentially damage joint structures and, in rare cases, develop into cancerous tumors (About). Vimseltnib has been certified to be an potent alternative and for adults to whom TGCT have recurred after surgery or to whom surgery may aggravate symptoms. Clinical trials were performed by comparing drug reactions of patients with TGCT in their arm joints, where some were given placebo doses and others who were prescribed with Vimseltnib. In the experiment, vimseltnib has successfully improved the physical conditions of patients, including the growth of joint functionality, increase in the range of joint motions, and alleviation of patient-reported pain. Some side effects observed from the clinical trial include the following: increase in aspartate transaminase, an enzyme commonly found in the liver and heart that converts food to energy sources; increase in cholesterol levels; periorbital derma, also known as puffy eyes; fatigue; and rash (Research, FDA approves vimseltinib).
The greatest dangers of cancer stem from its uncontrollable, discrete yet complex interactions with the human body. For sets of diseases that affect tens of millions around the world, there cannot exist a one-for-all treatment. Whether alternatives to other medical procedures or prescriptions alongside surgery and radiation treatment, chemotherapy is a crucial method in cancer treatment that will continue to benefit humanity. Our collective global efforts in this never-ending battle against cancer culminate in our development and production of potent, affordable, and accessible drug treatments, including chemotherapy.
Sources:
About TGCT. (n.d.). TGCT Support. https://www.tgctsupport.org/about-tgct.html
Cancer. (2025, March 19). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12194-cancer
Ciriello, G., et al., (2023). Cancer Evolution: a multifaceted affair. Cancer Discovery, 14(1), 36–48. https://doi.org/10.1158/2159-8290.cd-23-0530
NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms. (n.d.). Cancer.gov. https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/kinase
NF1 Associated with More Cancer Types Than Previously Known. (2021, April 20). Cancer.gov. https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2021/nf1-associated-with-more-cancer-types
Professional, C. C. M. (2025, April 25). Chemotherapy. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/16859-chemotherapy
Research, C. F. D. E. A. (2025, February 11). FDA approves mirdametinib for adult and pediatric patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 who have symptomatic plexiform neurofibromas not amenable to complete resection. U.S. Food And Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resources-information-approved-drugs/fda-approves-mirdametinib-adult-and-pediatric-patients-neurofibromatosis-type-1-who-have-symptomatic
Research, C. F. D. E. A. (2025, February 14). FDA approves vimseltinib for symptomatic tenosynovial giant cell tumor. U.S. Food And Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resources-information-approved-drugs/fda-approves-vimseltinib-symptomatic-tenosynovial-giant-cell-tumor
World Health Organization. (n.d.). Cancer. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cancer
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