A Brief Look at Antitumor Effects of Doxycycline in the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer and Combination Therapies

One of the worst diseases to affect humans is colorectal cancer (CRC), which is regarded as the second most common cancer worldwide. On the other hand, a number of therapeutic modalities, including as surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, are being developed throughout time in response to the difficulties associated with cancer treatment. Research demonstrated that, as compared to monotherapy, combination treatments have produced somewhat positive clinical results in terms of slowing the growth of the tumour and improving patient survival. Doxycycline, an antibiotic, is one of the substances and medications that can be used in chemotherapy and has been shown to be effective in treating a number of cancers, including colorectal cancer. Doxycycline has been shown to have anti-tumor qualities and to be able to suppress anti-apoptotic and angiogenic proteins, among other methods, to assist regulate the growth of tumours. Furthermore, research has demonstrated the ability to impede the growth of tumours when doxycycline is used in combination with other anti-tumor medications such doxorubicin, anti-angiogenic agents, and anti-checkpoint blockers. Thus, the anti-tumor mechanisms of doxycycline in the treatment of colorectal cancer and associated combination therapies were summed up in this review.