Targeted therapy

Definition

Targeted therapy refers to a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs or other substances to precisely identify and attack cancer cells, while minimizing damage to normal cells. This approach is based on understanding the molecular and genetic characteristics of both the tumor and the patient, enabling personalized treatment plans that can lead to better outcomes and fewer side effects.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Targeted therapy can be more effective than traditional chemotherapy because it specifically targets cancer cells rather than all rapidly dividing cells in the body.
2. The development of targeted therapies often involves extensive research into the genetic mutations present in specific cancers, allowing for tailored treatments.
3. Many targeted therapies are designed to inhibit specific pathways that tumors use to grow and survive, such as blocking growth factor receptors or signaling molecules.
4. Unlike chemotherapy, which can have a broad range of side effects due to its impact on healthy cells, targeted therapies tend to result in fewer adverse effects.
5. Targeted therapy can be used in combination with other treatments, like chemotherapy or immunotherapy, to enhance overall effectiveness and improve patient outcomes.

Review Questions

• How does targeted therapy differ from traditional chemotherapy in terms of its approach to treating cancer?
  • Targeted therapy differs from traditional chemotherapy primarily by its mechanism of action. While chemotherapy indiscriminately attacks all rapidly dividing cells, including healthy ones, targeted therapy focuses specifically on cancer cells by identifying unique molecular markers or mutations. This precision not only improves the effectiveness of the treatment but also helps in reducing side effects associated with damage to normal cells.
• Discuss the role of biomarkers in personalizing targeted therapy for patients with cancer.
  • Biomarkers play a crucial role in personalizing targeted therapy as they provide vital information about the genetic makeup of both the tumor and the patient. By identifying specific biomarkers associated with a patient's cancer, healthcare providers can select the most effective targeted therapies tailored to that individual. This personalized approach not only increases the likelihood of treatment success but also minimizes unnecessary exposure to ineffective treatments.
• Evaluate how the integration of personalized medicine into targeted therapy advancements could transform cancer treatment outcomes.
  • The integration of personalized medicine into advancements in targeted therapy has the potential to significantly transform cancer treatment outcomes by providing a more precise and individualized approach. By using genetic information from patients and their tumors, healthcare providers can identify specific therapies that are most likely to be effective, thereby improving response rates and survival times. Furthermore, this tailored approach can lead to reduced side effects and enhanced quality of life for patients, fundamentally changing how cancer is treated in the future.

Related terms

Biomarkers: Biomarkers are measurable indicators of a biological condition, often used to identify the presence of cancer or predict how well a patient will respond to targeted therapy.

Personalized medicine: Personalized medicine is an approach that tailors medical treatment to the individual characteristics, needs, and preferences of a patient, often utilizing genetic information to inform targeted therapies.

Monoclonal antibodies: Monoclonal antibodies are lab-created molecules engineered to bind specifically to cancer cell proteins, used in targeted therapy to enhance the immune response against tumors.