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Targeted therapies are treatments that aim at the uncontrolled growth and spread of cancer-causing cells. Cancer occurs when cells undergo genetic mutations and start to grow abnormally. Molecules that cause mutations are targeted by these drugs, stopping or reducing uncontrolled cell growth. Targeted therapies specifically attack cancerous cells while minimizing damage to healthy cells.<\/p>\n
The unique characteristics of targeted therapies affect the answer to the question of at what stage they are used. These features include:<\/p>\n
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- Targeting specific proteins or genes that control the growth and spread of cancer cells to deliver effective results.<\/li>\n
- Focusing on molecules present in cancer cells, sparing healthy cells from damage or causing minimal harm compared to traditional chemotherapy<\/a> drugs.<\/li>\n
- Allowing personalized treatment by identifying the protein or molecule type responsible for the disease using patient samples.<\/li>\n
- Can be combined with other treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.<\/li>\n
- Possess various mechanisms, such as directly targeting cancer cells or preventing issues like new blood vessel formation.<\/li>\n
- Ongoing research in this field continues to develop different drugs, affecting the answer to the question of at what stage these drugs are used.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
2 – What Are the Types of Targeted Therapies?<\/h2>\n
The answer to the question of at what stage targeted therapies are used in cancer depends on the type of drug used. Different types of targeted therapies have different mechanisms and effects. Details about these drugs are presented in the table below:<\/p>\n
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\n \nType of Drug<\/th>\n Description<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Gene Expression Regulators<\/td>\n These drugs target proteins responsible for regulating gene expression within cells.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Immunotherapy<\/td>\n Aims to enable the immune system to recognize cancer cells more effectively. Monoclonal antibodies produced specifically for cancer types bind to these cells, allowing the immune system to identify and destroy them.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Angiogenesis Inhibitors<\/td>\n Tumors require new blood vessels to grow. These drugs target the VEGF molecule responsible for new blood vessel formation, thereby slowing or halting tumor growth.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Apoptosis Inducers<\/td>\n The human body eliminates abnormally proliferating cells through a mechanism called apoptosis. These drugs stimulate this mechanism in cancer cells to make it function properly.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Signal Transduction Inhibitors<\/td>\n Tyrosine kinase is a protein responsible for transmitting signals from the external environment into the cell. When cancer cells divide uncontrollably due to received signals, these drugs block tyrosine kinase and interrupt the signals.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n 3 – Who Can Use Targeted Therapies?<\/h2>\n
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Although these drugs generally have fewer side effects than other treatments, the severity, type, and frequency vary among patients. Common side effects include blood clotting issues, dry skin, acne, nail changes, and impaired liver or kidney functions.<\/p>\n