Targeted therapy, also known as molecularly targeted therapy, is a key type of cancer treatment (pharmacotherapy). Others include hormonal therapy and cytotoxic chemotherapy. As a form of molecular medicine, targeted therapy blocks the growth of cancer cells by interfering with specific molecules needed for cancer to develop and grow. This is different from traditional chemotherapy, which simply interferes with all rapidly dividing cells. As most targeted therapy drugs are biopharmaceuticals, the term 'biologic therapy' is sometimes used as a synonym for targeted therapy when it comes to cancer treatment. This is to distinguish it from chemotherapy, which is a different type of treatment. However, the different types of treatment can be combined. Antibody-drug conjugates, for example, combine biological and cytotoxic mechanisms into one targeted therapy.
Another form of targeted therapy uses nanoengineered enzymes to bind to a tumour cell. This allows the body's natural cell degradation process to digest the cell, effectively eliminating it from the body.
We're expecting targeted cancer therapies to be more effective than older forms of treatment and less harmful to normal cells. Many targeted therapies are examples of immunotherapy (using immune mechanisms for therapeutic goals) developed by the field of cancer immunology. So, as immunomodulators, they're one type of biological response modifier.
This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional.
Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs or other substances to precisely identify and attack certain types of cancer cells. It's like a guided missile compared to traditional chemotherapy, which is more like a bomb that affects both cancer cells and healthy cells.
Here's a breakdown of how targeted therapy works and its different types:
How Targeted Therapy Works
Targets Specific Differences: Cancer cells have specific differences compared to normal cells, such as:
Proteins on their surface: These proteins can send signals that tell the cancer cells to grow and divide uncontrollably.
Changes in their genes: These changes can also lead to uncontrolled growth.
Blocks Cancer Growth: Targeted therapy drugs interfere with these specific differences, blocking the signals that tell cancer cells to grow and divide. This can help to:
Stop cancer from growing
Shrink tumors
Prevent cancer from spreading
Types of Targeted Therapy
There are two main types of targeted therapy:
Monoclonal antibodies: These are man-made versions of immune system proteins that are designed to bind to specific targets on cancer cells.
Small-molecule drugs: These are drugs that are small enough to enter cancer cells and interfere with specific processes inside the cells.
Benefits of Targeted Therapy
More Specific: Targeted therapy is more specific than traditional chemotherapy, so it is less likely to damage healthy cells.
Fewer Side Effects: This can lead to fewer side effects.
Effective for Some Cancers: Targeted therapy can be very effective for some types of cancer, even when other treatments have not worked.
Limitations of Targeted Therapy
Doesn't Work for All Cancers: Targeted therapy does not work for all types of cancer.
Cancer Cells Can Develop Resistance: Cancer cells can sometimes develop resistance to targeted therapy drugs, which means that the drugs stop working.
Side Effects Still Possible: Targeted therapy can still cause side effects, although they are often less severe than the side effects of chemotherapy.
How Targeted Therapy Is Used
Testing for Targets: Before you can receive targeted therapy, your doctor will need to test your cancer cells to see if they have the specific target that the drug is designed to attack.
Used Alone or in Combination: Targeted therapy can be used alone or in combination with other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy.
Important Considerations
Targeted therapy is a rapidly evolving field, and new drugs are being developed all the time.
If you are interested in learning more about targeted therapy, please talk to your doctor. They can help you determine if targeted therapy is right for you.
This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional.
Cancer treatment is a complex field with various approaches aimed at combating this disease. Among these, targeted therapy stands out as a precise and innovative strategy. Let's explore cancer treatment in general and then delve deeper into the specifics of targeted therapy.
Cancer Treatment: A Broad Overview
Cancer treatment encompasses a range of methods designed to eliminate cancer cells, halt their growth, or manage the disease to enhance the patient's quality of life. The chosen treatment plan is tailored based on factors like the type and stage of cancer, the patient's overall health, and their preferences.
Here are the primary categories of cancer treatment:
Surgery: Physical removal of the tumor and affected tissues.
Radiation Therapy: Using high-energy radiation to damage and destroy cancer cells.
Chemotherapy: Employing drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body.
Immunotherapy: Boosting the body's immune system to fight cancer cells.
Hormone Therapy: Blocking or reducing hormones in hormone-sensitive cancers.
Stem Cell Transplant: Replacing damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells.
Targeted Therapy: A Deep Dive
Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment that zeroes in on specific characteristics of cancer cells, such as proteins or genetic mutations that fuel their growth and survival. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, which can harm both cancerous and healthy cells, targeted therapy is designed to be more selective, minimizing damage to normal tissues.
How Targeted Therapy Works
Cancer cells often have unique features that distinguish them from normal cells. These features can include:
Specific proteins on their surface: These proteins can act as receptors for growth signals, prompting the cancer cells to multiply uncontrollably.
Changes in their genes: Mutations in genes can disrupt normal cell functions and lead to uncontrolled growth.
Targeted therapy drugs interfere with these specific features, disrupting the signals that promote cancer cell growth and survival. This can lead to:
Slowing down cancer growth
Shrinking tumors
Preventing cancer from spreading
Types of Targeted Therapy
There are two main types of targeted therapy:
Monoclonal antibodies: These are laboratory-produced antibodies designed to bind to specific targets on cancer cells. By attaching to these targets, monoclonal antibodies can:
Mark cancer cells for destruction by the immune system
Block growth signals
Deliver toxins directly to cancer cells
Small-molecule drugs: These are drugs that are small enough to enter cancer cells and interfere with specific processes inside the cells, such as:
Blocking enzymes that promote cell growth
Inhibiting blood vessel formation that nourishes tumors
Triggering programmed cell death (apoptosis)
Advantages of Targeted Therapy
Increased Specificity: Targeted therapy is more selective than traditional chemotherapy, reducing damage to healthy cells.
Potentially Fewer Side Effects: Due to its specificity, targeted therapy may cause fewer side effects compared to chemotherapy.
Personalized Treatment: Targeted therapy can be tailored to the specific characteristics of an individual's cancer.
Limitations of Targeted Therapy
Not Effective for All Cancers: Targeted therapy is only effective if the cancer cells have the specific target that the drug is designed to attack.
Resistance Can Develop: Cancer cells can sometimes develop resistance to targeted therapy drugs over time.
Side Effects Are Still Possible: Although often less severe than chemotherapy side effects, targeted therapy can still cause adverse reactions.
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