Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy is a cancer treatment using drugs to attack specific genes and proteins crucial for cancer cell growth. It works alongside other treatments and is a focus of extensive research, offering hope for many cancer types.

What is Targeted Therapy?

Targeted therapy represents a modern approach in cancer treatment, focusing on using drugs to precisely target specific genes and proteins that are essential for the survival and proliferation of cancer cells. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, which indiscriminately attacks rapidly dividing cells, targeted therapy aims to specifically disrupt the mechanisms that allow cancer cells to grow and divide, thereby reducing harm to healthy cells. This precision is achieved through a deep understanding of cancer’s genetic makeup, allowing for the development of therapies that target abnormalities unique to cancer cells.

Targeted therapies can influence the tissue environment in which cancer cells thrive or directly target cells that contribute to cancer growth, such as blood vessel cells. These treatments are versatile, applicable to a variety of cancer types, and are often used in combination with other modalities like chemotherapy. The field is rapidly expanding, with continuous research and clinical trials introducing new therapies. However, not all cancers currently have effective targeted treatments, highlighting the ongoing need for research in this area. The personalized nature of targeted therapy requires genetic testing to identify the most effective treatment for individual cancer cases, making it a cornerstone of precision medicine in oncology.

How Does Targeted Therapy Fight Cancer?

Targeted therapy fights cancer by identifying and attacking specific genetic changes within cancer cells. These therapies can block signals that promote cancer cell growth, limit their lifespan, or directly destroy them. They are designed to target proteins or genes that are altered or overexpressed in cancer cells, leaving most normal cells unharmed. This specificity not only makes targeted therapy effective but also reduces the severity of side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy. The choice of targeted therapy depends on the unique genetic makeup of the individual’s cancer.

Types of Targeted Therapies

Targeted therapies are categorized primarily into two types: monoclonal antibodies and small-molecule drugs. Monoclonal antibodies are designed to attack specific targets on or near cancer cells, sometimes delivering toxic substances directly to them. They can enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiation or act as immunotherapies. Small-molecule drugs block processes vital for cancer cell multiplication and spread, like angiogenesis inhibitors which prevent new blood vessel formation, starving tumors of nutrients. Other types include various immunotherapies and apoptosis inducers, which promote cancer cell death. The development and application of these therapies are tailored to specific genetic changes, regardless of cancer type.

Blogs and Articles

Health articles that keep you informed about good health practices and achieve your goals.