Targeted therapy

Definition

Targeted therapy is a type of medical treatment that uses drugs or other substances to precisely identify and attack cancer cells or specific disease mechanisms, minimizing damage to healthy cells. This approach focuses on specific genetic, protein, or tissue markers associated with diseases, allowing for a more personalized treatment plan that can lead to improved outcomes and reduced side effects compared to traditional therapies.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Targeted therapy can significantly improve treatment outcomes by focusing on specific characteristics of cancer cells, leading to more effective treatments.
2. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, which can harm both cancerous and healthy cells, targeted therapy is designed to minimize side effects by sparing healthy tissues.
3. Targeted therapies can be administered in various forms, including oral medications and injections, making them versatile in their application.
4. The development of targeted therapies often involves extensive research into the genetic mutations and pathways that drive tumor growth.
5. Combination therapies, using both targeted therapy and traditional treatments like chemotherapy or radiation, are becoming increasingly common to enhance effectiveness.

Review Questions

• How does targeted therapy differ from traditional chemotherapy in terms of its approach to treating cancer?
  • Targeted therapy differs from traditional chemotherapy mainly in its precision and mechanism of action. While chemotherapy broadly attacks rapidly dividing cells—both cancerous and healthy—targeted therapy focuses specifically on genetic markers or proteins unique to cancer cells. This means that targeted therapy can spare healthy cells, reducing side effects and potentially improving patient outcomes through more personalized treatment.
• Discuss the role of biomarkers in the development and application of targeted therapies.
  • Biomarkers play a crucial role in targeted therapies as they help identify specific characteristics of tumors that can be targeted for treatment. By analyzing these biomarkers, healthcare professionals can determine which patients are likely to benefit from specific targeted therapies. This precision allows for more effective treatment strategies tailored to the individual's unique disease profile, enhancing the overall efficacy of the treatment plan.
• Evaluate the impact of combining targeted therapy with other treatment modalities on patient outcomes in oncology.
  • Combining targeted therapy with other modalities like chemotherapy and radiation has shown significant benefits in oncology. This integrated approach allows for synergistic effects where each treatment enhances the effectiveness of the others, leading to better tumor control and improved survival rates. Moreover, this strategy can also help mitigate resistance that cancer cells may develop against single-agent therapies, ultimately providing a more robust framework for managing complex cancer cases.

Related terms

Biomarkers: Biological molecules found in blood, other body fluids, or tissues that indicate a normal or abnormal process, or a condition or disease.

Monoclonal antibodies: Laboratory-made molecules that can mimic the immune system's ability to fight off harmful pathogens such as viruses.

Precision medicine: An innovative approach to tailoring disease treatment based on individual patient characteristics, including genetics, environment, and lifestyle.