Targeted Therapy: A Breakthrough in Cancer Treatment
Table of Content
Cancer treatment has come a long way in recent years, with targeted therapy emerging as a promising approach. Dr. Ashok Kumar Vaid from Medanta Hospital sheds light on this innovative treatment method, explaining its mechanisms, benefits, and how it differs from traditional chemotherapy.
What is Targeted Therapy?
Targeted therapy is a cancer treatment designed to interfere with specific molecular pathways cancer cells use to grow and spread. Dr. Vaid explains, “Targeted therapies are meant to pick up one of the pathways in the cancer cell.” Unlike traditional treatments that affect both healthy and cancerous cells, targeted therapy focuses on the unique characteristics of cancer cells.
How Targeted Therapies Work
Cancer cells survive and thrive through various signals mediated by proteins in the body. These proteins act as “signal-catching points” on the cancer cell's surface. Targeted therapies block these signal-catching points, effectively stopping the flow of signals that allow cancer cells to grow, divide faster, and spread throughout the body.
As Dr Vaid puts it, “Any treatment which is meant to stop these signals flowing into the cancer cell and making it work faster, divide faster, spread in the body system is called a targeted therapy.”
Types and Administration of Targeted Therapies
Targeted therapies come in various forms and can be administered in several ways:
Oral Medications: Pills or capsules taken via mouth
Injections: Given under the skin (subcutaneous)
Intravenous (IV) Infusions: Dissolved in a glucose solution and injected into a vein
This variety of administration methods allows for flexibility in treatment settings. Depending on the specific drug & treatment plan, patients can receive targeted therapy in hospitals, outpatient clinics, or even at home.
Dr. Vaid notes that the field has seen significant advancements: “The number of targets which have been identified in the last 20 years has given us a plethora of drugs.” Many of these drugs can be taken at home, with patients only needing periodic visits (every 4-6 weeks) for blood tests and physical check-ups. Scans may be required every 3-4 months to monitor progress.
Targeted Therapy vs. Chemotherapy
To understand the benefits of targeted therapy, comparing it with traditional chemotherapy is helpful. Dr. Vaid explains the key differences:
Chemotherapy, derived from the word “chemical,” refers to drugs discovered in the 1940s and 1950s. These potent anti-cancer drugs kill rapidly dividing cells in the body. However, they cannot distinguish between cancer cells and normal cells that divide quickly, such as those in hair follicles, bone marrow, and the digestive tract.
Dr Vaid describes chemotherapy drugs as “non-specific cell-killing drugs.” They destroy cancer cells but also lead to collateral damage on normal, fast-dividing cells. This non-specific action results in well-known side effects like hair loss and decreased immunity due to low white blood cell counts.
In contrast, targeted therapies are more precise. They focus on specific molecular targets that are associated with cancer, leaving most healthy cells unaffected. Dr. Vaid explains, “When we move away from these chemicals and use drugs which are going to pick up only one signal catching point, it’s like depriving the cancer cell of a vital signal.” This targeted approach means the cancer cell “automatically dies off” while minimising damage to healthy cells.
Conclusion
Targeted therapy represents a huge advancement in cancer treatment. By focusing on specific molecular pathways within cancer cells, these therapies offer precise and potentially more effective approaches to fighting cancer. With reduced collateral damage to healthy cells, patients can often maintain a better quality of life during treatment. As research continues and more targets are identified, targeted therapy is likely to play an elementary role in the future of cancer care.
FAQs
What is targeted therapy, and how does it work?
Targeted therapy involves drugs designed to identify and attack specific proteins or genes of the fast-dividing cancer cells. Targeted therapy aims to interfere with particular molecules (targets) to inhibit cancer cell growth and survival. Several factors affect the response to targeted therapy, including how many cancer cells carry the target.
What types of cancer can be treated with targeted therapy?
The effectiveness depends on specific molecular targets within the cancer cells. Not all tumours have identifiable targets, so pre-treatment testing becomes necessary to determine suitability. Targeted therapies are used to treat various cancers, including breast, lung, colorectal, and certain types of leukaemia and lymphoma.
What are the common side effects of targeted therapy?
Adverse effects vary depending on the specific drug and its target but may include:
Acne-like skin rash, particularly on the face, scalp or upper body
Sensitivity to sunlight and skin redness
Headaches and tiredness
Joint aches
Diarrhoea and constipation
Dry & itchy eyes
How is targeted therapy administered?
The route of therapy administration depends on the specific drug and treatment plan:
Oral medications: Capsules or pills taken by mouth
Intravenous (IV) infusions: Administered directly into the bloodstream
Subcutaneous injections: Injected under the skin
This blog has been converted from the Youtube video- Targeted Therapy For Cancer Treatment | Dr. Ashok Kumar Vaid | Medanta Hospital
