Targeted cancer therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs or other substances to identify and attack cancer cells while causing minimal harm to normal cells. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, which kills rapidly dividing cells regardless of whether they are cancerous or healthy, targeted therapy specifically targets cancer cells by interfering with specific molecules involved in cancer growth and progression.
Mechanism of Action: Targeted therapy drugs work by targeting specific molecules or pathways that are involved in the growth, survival, and spread of cancer cells. By blocking or inhibiting these molecules or pathways, targeted therapy can interfere with cancer cell growth and survival while sparing normal cells. The targeted molecules or pathways may include growth factor receptors, signaling proteins, enzymes, or other molecules that play key roles in cancer development and progression.
Types of Targeted Therapy: There are several types of targeted therapy drugs, each with its own mechanism of action and targets. Some common types of targeted therapy include:
- Monoclonal antibodies: These are antibodies that are designed to recognize and bind to specific molecules on the surface of cancer cells, triggering an immune response or blocking signaling pathways involved in cancer growth.
- Small molecule inhibitors: These are drugs that are small enough to enter cancer cells and interfere with specific molecules or enzymes inside the cells, blocking their function and inhibiting cancer growth.
- Angiogenesis inhibitors: These are drugs that target the process of angiogenesis, which is the formation of new blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to tumors. By inhibiting angiogenesis, targeted therapy can starve tumors of blood supply and prevent their growth and spread.
Indications: Targeted therapy may be used to treat various types of cancer, including solid tumors (such as breast cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and melanoma) and hematologic malignancies (such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma). The choice of targeted therapy depends on factors such as the type and stage of cancer, the specific molecular targets identified in the tumor, and the individual’s overall health and treatment goals.
Treatment Approach: Targeted therapy may be used alone or in combination with other cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy, depending on the specific characteristics of the cancer and the treatment plan. Combination therapies may be more effective in some cases by targeting multiple pathways involved in cancer growth and progression.
Side Effects: While targeted therapy drugs are designed to specifically target cancer cells, they can still cause side effects by affecting normal cells that also express the targeted molecules or pathways. Common side effects of targeted therapy may include skin rash, diarrhea, nausea, fatigue, high blood pressure, liver toxicity, and problems with wound healing. The side effects of targeted therapy are generally less severe than those of traditional chemotherapy, but they can still impact quality of life and may require supportive care measures or dose adjustments.
Resistance: Like other cancer treatments, targeted therapy may eventually lead to the development of resistance, where cancer cells become less responsive to the treatment over time. Cancer cells may develop resistance through various mechanisms, such as mutations in the targeted molecules or activation of alternative signaling pathways. Strategies to overcome resistance may involve combining targeted therapy with other treatments, developing new targeted therapy drugs, or targeting multiple pathways simultaneously.