Final answer:
The 'holy grail or currency' in oncology signifies the ultimate achievement, which involves understanding tumor biology for targeted therapies. One such milestone was combination chemotherapy, which significantly improved the cure rate of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in children and symbolizes a concerted effort towards this holy grail.
Step-by-step explanation:
In oncology, the term 'holy grail or currency' refers to the ultimate goal or most valued achievement in cancer treatment and research. This can be achieved through an understanding of the tumor biology and its microenvironment along with the identification of specific receptors to target for therapy.
Combination Chemotherapy
A landmark development in the field was the introduction of combination chemotherapy in 1965 by James F. Holland, Emil Freireich, and Emil Frei. Their strategy was to use a combination of drugs, each with a different mechanism of action, to reduce the likelihood of cancer cells developing resistance. This methodology induces long-term remissions in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), transforming ALL from a deadly disease to one that is largely curable with continued refinements of treatment regimens.
The idea of the 'magic bullet' in oncology, conceptualized nearly one hundred years ago, remains a key focus as researchers aim to create targeted therapies that can effectively treat cancer with minimum side effects. The past and ongoing research in nanomedicine also plays a vital role in the pursuit of the oncology holy grail, with the development of targeted delivery mechanisms for anti-cancer drugs.