Targeted therapy

Definition

Targeted therapy is a type of medical treatment that uses specific drugs or other substances to identify and attack cancer cells or other diseases based on unique characteristics of those cells. Unlike traditional treatments that affect all rapidly dividing cells, targeted therapy aims to interfere with the specific molecules involved in tumor growth and progression, leading to more precise and often less harmful treatment options.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Targeted therapy has revolutionized cancer treatment by allowing for more tailored approaches that can lead to better outcomes and fewer side effects compared to conventional therapies.
2. Common targets for these therapies include proteins involved in cell signaling, angiogenesis, and apoptosis, which are crucial in cancer cell survival and proliferation.
3. Some targeted therapies are designed to inhibit specific enzymes or proteins that promote tumor growth, disrupting the cancer's ability to grow and spread.
4. Targeted therapy can be used in conjunction with other treatments like chemotherapy or radiation to enhance overall effectiveness against cancer.
5. Resistance to targeted therapy can occur when cancer cells develop new mutations or alternative pathways for growth, highlighting the need for ongoing research and development in this field.

Review Questions

• How does targeted therapy differ from traditional cancer treatments in terms of mechanism and patient outcomes?
  • Targeted therapy differs from traditional cancer treatments by focusing on specific molecular targets associated with cancer cells rather than affecting all rapidly dividing cells. This specificity allows targeted therapies to reduce damage to normal cells, leading to fewer side effects and potentially better patient outcomes. While traditional treatments like chemotherapy can result in significant adverse effects due to their broad action, targeted therapies aim for precision, which can improve efficacy and enhance quality of life for patients.
• Discuss the role of biomarkers in determining the effectiveness of targeted therapies for individual patients.
  • Biomarkers play a critical role in the success of targeted therapies by helping identify which patients will benefit from specific treatments. These biological markers indicate the presence of certain mutations or proteins that are targetable by the drugs. By using biomarker testing before treatment, healthcare providers can personalize therapy plans based on the molecular characteristics of a patient's tumor, optimizing treatment efficacy and minimizing unnecessary side effects from ineffective treatments.
• Evaluate the challenges faced in developing new targeted therapies and their implications for future cancer treatment strategies.
  • Developing new targeted therapies comes with significant challenges, such as identifying effective targets that remain consistent across diverse patient populations and understanding how cancers evolve over time. Resistance mechanisms often emerge as tumors adapt, complicating treatment regimens. Additionally, funding and regulatory hurdles can delay clinical trials for new drugs. Addressing these challenges is crucial for advancing future cancer treatment strategies, as ongoing research must focus on overcoming resistance mechanisms and developing combination therapies that enhance the efficacy of targeted treatments.

Related terms

Biomarkers: Biomarkers are biological molecules found in blood, other body fluids, or tissues that can indicate the presence of a disease, helping to tailor targeted therapy.

Monoclonal antibodies: Monoclonal antibodies are lab-created molecules that can bind to specific targets on cancer cells, marking them for destruction by the immune system or blocking their growth signals.

Personalized medicine: Personalized medicine is an approach to disease treatment and prevention that considers individual variability in genes, environment, and lifestyle for each person, often utilizing targeted therapies.