Targeted therapies in cancer

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Targeted therapy will only be effective if the tumor has specific molecules (also called target molecules) that the drug can target, or may no longer be effective if these specific molecules have changed. change.

1. What is targeted therapy in cancer?

Targeted cancer therapy is a method of treating cancer using drugs. It is different from traditional chemotherapy. The drug here is a specifically targeted therapy that helps stop the growth and spread of a tumor. They work by attacking specific genes or proteins. These genes and proteins are found in cancer cells or cells that are involved in tumor growth.

2. Types of targeted treatment

There are two main types of targeted therapy: Small molecule drugs and monoclonal antibody drugs.
Small molecule drugs have the ability to enter cancer cells and destroy them. Monoclonal antibody drugs are not able to penetrate cancer cells, so they work by targeting the area around the tumor. Thanks to this property, monoclonal antibody drugs can be used to target chemotherapy or radiation therapy at the tumor, increasing the effectiveness of killing cancer cells. These are not the only two types of targeted treatment that have been proposed, many others have been researched and developed, such as:
Hormone therapy: Certain diseases such as breast cancer or pre-cancer The prostate needs certain hormones in order to grow. Your doctor may prescribe medications to stop your body from producing or neutralizing these hormones. The drug tamoxifen is an example of hormone therapy that blocks estrogen, a hormone that has been linked to breast cancer. Signal transduction inhibitors: One of the most common targeted therapies. The drug works by blocking signals that cause cells to multiply abnormally or too quickly. Gene Expression Regulator: This type of targeted treatment changes the proteins that guide the expression of abnormal genes. Apoptotic drugs: Apoptotic cell death is a programmed cell death process that occurs to all cells that have survived or have been damaged. Cancer cells often find a way to 'evade' this process of cell death, so researchers have developed drugs to make cancer cells go through this process like normal cells. Anti-angiogenic drugs: These drugs block the formation of blood vessels that supply nutrients to the tumor Autologous immunotherapy: This therapy strengthens the immune system so that the immune system can function properly. The drug can also kill the malignant cells more effectively or the drug can also mark the malignant cells so that the immune system can easily find and destroy them before they spread. Targeted therapy to treat your cancer, your doctor will have to do tests to determine if it's right for your cancer.

3. Some side effects of targeted treatments

Targeted treatment can cause some side effects such as diarrhea, liver problems such as hepatitis, hair, nail/foot and skin problems.
The most common side effect in patients on targeted therapy is skin problems because the drugs often attack the elements and blood vessels needed for healthy skin. Watch for the following symptoms:
Rash or rash on the skin in the areas of the face, neck, chest and back. These sores can be itchy, painful, and can become infected. They usually appear when you start treatment and go away after you finish the targeted treatment. Sensitivity to light Dry skin Swelling of eyelids Swelling or sores of fingernails and toenails If you observe the above symptoms, you should immediately talk to your doctor for timely treatment, to avoid skin inflammation.
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Article referenced source: Webmd.com
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What type of cancer can targeted therapy treat? The difference between chemotherapy and targeted therapy in cancer treatment What you need to know before deciding on cancer treatment