Targeted cancer therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses medications to precisely target cancer cells while having minimal impact on healthy cells. This is accomplished by obstructing the molecular targets that are fuelling the rapid growth of cancer cells, which are typically changed genes or proteins unique to cancer cells. These molecular changes might be found inside cancer cells, on their surface, or in the vicinity of the tumour surrounding. Because it specifically targets certain alterations or materials in cancer cells, this customised approach to treatment is sometimes referred to as precision medicine.
What is Targeted Cancer Therapy?
Many types of cancer can be treated with targeted therapy. Additionally, it can be used in conjunction with other cancer therapies such as chemotherapy. Although there are currently no effective targeted medicines for all cancers, this field of study is expanding quickly, and numerous novel targeted therapies are being investigated in clinical trials.
Different types of targeted therapy
Targeted therapy comes in various types. Small-molecule drugs and monoclonal antibodies are the most
prevalent types.
Small-molecule drugs
Drugs with small molecules have an easy time getting inside cells and interfering with internal molecules. They can also be employed to disrupt molecules on the cell’s surface.
Monoclonal antibodies
Function outside of cancer cells and are bigger. They go after chemicals that are either close to or on the surface of cancer cells. Cloned cells that generate antibodies that obstruct the intended chemical are used to make these. It is also possible to introduce a toxic substance precisely into a cancer cell using monoclonal antibodies.
Benefits of targeted therapy
Among the benefits of targeted therapy are:
Enhanced efficacy
Better quality of life
Possibly less adverse effects
Possibly less damage to healthy cells
How can cancer be treated using targeted therapy?
The body is made up of many distinct types of cells. Each type has a certain role. When specific genes in healthy cells mutate and become abnormal over time, cancer is the result. We refer to this modification as a genetic mutation or alteration.
Cells need proteins to function, and genes instruct cells on how to produce them. These proteins also alter in response to gene mutations. This may cause cells to divide excessively or too rapidly. The cells live far longer than they would ordinarily when this takes place. When these cells multiply uncontrollably, a tumour forms.
Your doctor may request tests to identify the genes, proteins, and other characteristics specific to your cancer to determine the best targeted therapy. This aids in determining the best course of approach.
Targeted therapies can be administered as an infusion or as pills, and they can be used when combined with other treatments like immunotherapy or chemotherapy.
How is the targeted therapy administered?
There are various techniques to administer targeted therapy:
via subcutaneous injection
as tablets or capsules
via injection or infusion into a vein (drip)
Every treatment has a particular method of administration and they can be used when combined with other treatments like immunotherapy or chemotherapy. If your doctor chooses to recommend oral targeted therapy, you should pay attention to the dosage, how often it is administered, when it is administered in relation to food, and whether each cycle of treatment includes a regular pause.
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