Herbal Drugs and Monoclonal Antibody-Based Approaches in Cancer Management: A Critical Review
Ray Chimango *
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kalinga University, Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.
Smrutiranjan Dash
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kalinga University, Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.
Lingala Srikanth
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kalinga University, Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarh India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Cancer remains a foremost cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and conventional treatment modalities — surgery, radiotherapy, and systemic chemotherapy — are frequently constrained by inadequate efficacy and significant toxicity. Two broad therapeutic paradigms have attracted substantial and accelerating scientific interest: the use of herbal drugs and their bioactive phytochemical constituents, and the development of monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based immunotherapeutics. This review critically evaluates the mechanistic basis, clinical evidence, translational challenges, and emerging synergistic potential of these two approaches in cancer management. Key phytochemicals examined include curcumin, resveratrol, berberine, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), artemisinin and its semi-synthetic derivatives, and the established plant-derived chemotherapeutics — taxanes and vinca alkaloids. In parallel, the review appraises major classes of therapeutic mAbs, encompassing naked antibodies targeting HER2, VEGF, EGFR, and CD20; immune checkpoint inhibitors against CTLA-4, PD-1, and PD-L1; antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs); and bispecific antibodies. Accumulating preclinical evidence suggests that selected phytochemicals can synergise with mAbs through modulation of overlapping oncogenic signalling pathways, remodelling of the tumour microenvironment, and potentiation of anti-tumour immune responses. Nevertheless, poor bioavailability of phytochemicals, mAb immunogenicity, resistance mechanisms, and high treatment costs remain significant barriers to clinical translation. Advances in nanotechnology-based delivery systems, antibody engineering, and predictive biomarker discovery are anticipated to facilitate rational integration of these two therapeutic streams. This review identifies priority research gaps and proposes directions for future investigation.
Keywords: Herbal drugs, monoclonal antibodies, phytochemicals, cancer immunotherapy, checkpoint inhibitors, curcumin, trastuzumab, antibody–drug conjugates, combination therapy, tumour microenvironment.