Self-renewal is the most important property of stem cells. Parallel to this, cancer stem cells (CSCs) have an indefinite proliferative ability that drives tumorigenesis. The conventional treatment of cancer includes chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery, which decreases the tumour size. Contrary, targeted therapy against CSCs initially does not shrink the tumour but ultimately causes tumour degeneration. Nanobiotechnology, RNA interference, microRNA are emerging fields with a vital role in targeted therapy against CSCs. The non-protein encoding microRNAs has a major role in cancer treatment since they regulate gene expression during post-transcription. RNAi technology can silence the gene of interest with potency and specificity inhibiting tumour growth. In nanoparticles-based RNA interference, nanocarriers protect RNAi molecules from immune recognition and enzymatic degradation. The cancer cell gene expression profiling using next-generation sequencing helps in understanding the underlying cancer cell mechanisms. The current chapter deals with novel concepts in the treatment of cancer.

With the evolution of the tissue system and division of function among differentiated cells/tissues, the property of controlled cell growth also evolved in animals. It is when this very control is lost that cancers develop. The immune system's ability to distinguish between self and non-self is central to impeding cancer progression. However, cancer cells in time can develop multiple ways of escaping immune control. Even today, cancer remains a disease of baffling complexity on account of its diverse origin and pathogenesis. Classical methods like surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy have failed to make the cut as idyllic therapy, especially considering the encumbering side-effects and high failure rate. Alternative therapeutic strategies that exploit the immune system itself have proved promising. One of these is monoclonal antibody therapy. In this chapter, the relationship between the immune system and cancer and various forms of immunotherapy are discussed in detail.

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