Targeted therapy

Definition

Targeted therapy is 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 focuses on specific molecular targets associated with cancer, making it more effective and reducing side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy. By utilizing the unique characteristics of cancer cells, targeted therapy offers a more personalized treatment option for patients.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Targeted therapy often involves drugs that interfere with specific pathways important for cancer cell growth and survival, such as blocking proteins or genes involved in tumor proliferation.
2. Unlike traditional therapies, which can affect all rapidly dividing cells, targeted therapy aims to selectively attack only those cells that have specific mutations or markers.
3. This therapy can be used in combination with other treatments like chemotherapy or radiation to enhance effectiveness and improve patient outcomes.
4. Some examples of targeted therapy include tyrosine kinase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies, which are designed to disrupt the signals that allow cancer cells to grow.
5. The development of targeted therapies has been made possible through advances in genomics and molecular biology, leading to better understanding of cancer's genetic basis.

Review Questions

• How does targeted therapy differ from traditional chemotherapy in its approach to treating cancer?
  • Targeted therapy differs from traditional chemotherapy primarily in its specificity. While chemotherapy targets all rapidly dividing cells, leading to broader side effects, targeted therapy is designed to focus on specific molecules or pathways unique to cancer cells. This precision helps to minimize harm to normal cells and enhances treatment efficacy, allowing for a more tailored approach that aligns with the unique characteristics of an individual’s cancer.
• Discuss the role of biomarkers in the development and application of targeted therapies.
  • Biomarkers play a crucial role in both the development and application of targeted therapies. They help identify which patients are most likely to benefit from specific treatments by indicating the presence of particular molecular targets. This information is essential for personalizing therapy choices and ensuring that patients receive the most effective treatment based on their unique tumor biology. As such, ongoing research into biomarkers is fundamental for advancing targeted therapy options.
• Evaluate the impact of personalized medicine on the future of cancer treatment and how it relates to targeted therapy.
  • Personalized medicine is set to significantly transform cancer treatment by ensuring that therapies are specifically tailored to individual patient profiles, including genetic makeup and tumor characteristics. This approach aligns closely with targeted therapy, as both aim for increased treatment efficacy while reducing adverse effects. The integration of genomic information into clinical practice allows for identifying optimal targeted therapies for each patient, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life while also facilitating more effective use of healthcare resources.

Related terms

Biomarkers: Biological molecules found in blood, other body fluids, or tissues that indicate a condition or disease and can help guide targeted therapy.

Monoclonal Antibodies: Laboratory-made molecules that can mimic the immune system's ability to fight off harmful pathogens, often used in targeted therapy to bind to specific cancer cell antigens.

Personalized Medicine: A medical model that tailors treatment strategies based on individual patient characteristics, including genetics and biomarker profiles.