Targeted therapy

Definition

Targeted therapy is a type of medical treatment that uses specific drugs or other substances to identify and attack cancer cells, usually while sparing normal cells. This approach leverages the unique characteristics of cancer cells, such as specific genetic mutations or proteins, allowing for more precise treatment options that can be tailored to individual patients, enhancing the overall effectiveness of treatment and minimizing side effects.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Targeted therapy differs from traditional chemotherapy by focusing on specific molecular targets associated with cancer rather than affecting all rapidly dividing cells.
2. The development of targeted therapies has significantly improved outcomes for certain types of cancers, such as breast cancer and lung cancer, where specific genetic mutations have been identified.
3. Targeted therapies can come in various forms, including small molecule drugs that enter cells and monoclonal antibodies that target proteins on the cell surface.
4. Patients may undergo genetic testing to identify specific biomarkers that determine whether they are suitable candidates for targeted therapy, ensuring personalized treatment approaches.
5. While targeted therapy can offer significant benefits, it may not be effective for all patients or all types of cancer, leading researchers to continuously seek new targets and combinations with other treatments.

Review Questions

• How does targeted therapy differ from traditional chemotherapy in terms of its approach to treating cancer?
  • Targeted therapy specifically focuses on identifying and attacking cancer cells based on their unique genetic and molecular characteristics, which allows it to selectively treat tumors while sparing healthy cells. In contrast, traditional chemotherapy indiscriminately affects all rapidly dividing cells, leading to broader side effects. This difference in targeting mechanisms results in more personalized and often less toxic treatment options for patients.
• Discuss the role of biomarkers in guiding targeted therapy decisions for cancer patients.
  • Biomarkers play a crucial role in personalized medicine by helping clinicians determine which patients will benefit from specific targeted therapies. These biological indicators can reveal the presence of genetic mutations or proteins associated with certain cancers. By analyzing these biomarkers through genetic testing, healthcare providers can tailor treatment plans that maximize efficacy and minimize unnecessary side effects for individual patients.
• Evaluate the implications of combining targeted therapy with immunotherapy for enhancing cancer treatment outcomes.
  • Combining targeted therapy with immunotherapy has the potential to create a synergistic effect that improves treatment outcomes for cancer patients. Targeted therapy can help to inhibit cancer growth by blocking specific pathways, while immunotherapy enhances the body's immune response against tumor cells. This integrated approach can lead to more effective destruction of cancer cells, reduced risk of recurrence, and improved survival rates. Ongoing research is crucial to identify optimal combinations and understand the interactions between these therapeutic strategies.

Related terms

Biomarkers: Biological molecules found in blood, other body fluids, or tissues that can indicate the presence of cancer or the likely response to targeted therapies.

Monoclonal antibodies: Laboratory-made molecules that can mimic the immune system's ability to fight off harmful pathogens like cancer cells; they are often used in targeted therapies.

Immunotherapy: A treatment that uses the body's immune system to fight cancer, which can sometimes work in conjunction with targeted therapies.