Targeted Therapy Cancer Treatments

Targeted therapy is a category of cancer treatment that “targets” specific molecules, often in the form of proteins, that control how cancer cells grow and spread. It is designed to destroy cells with specific genetic mutations while avoiding damage to healthy cells. Because of this, targeted therapy is also called molecularly targeted therapy or precision medicine.

Tests will be run to see if a mutation is present that can be treated with a specific targeted therapy drug. This process is called biomarker testing. Most of these mutations are developed over the lifetime of the patient and are not inherited.

How Does Targeted Therapy Work to Kill Cancer Cells?

Targeted therapy is effective because these proteins exist primarily in the tumor's cells and are not present in healthy tissue. This means fewer healthy cells will be destroyed in the targeted therapy treatment process.

There are a few different ways a targeted therapy can work to kill cancer cells:

Signal the immune system to destroy cancer cells
Interrupt signals that cause cancer cells to grow and divide without order
Prevent cancer cells from living longer than normal
Stop signals that help form blood vessels, which tumors need to grow
Deliver cell-killing substances to cancer cells
Starve cancer of hormones it needs to grow
Encourage cell death in cancer cells

Types of Targeted Therapies

There are several different types of targeted therapy. The most common types are small-molecule drugs and monoclonal antibodies .

Small-Molecule Drugs

Small-molecule drugs are small enough to enter cells easily, so they are used for targets that are inside cells.

Monoclonal Antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies, also known as therapeutic antibodies, are proteins produced in the lab. These proteins are designed to attach to specific targets found on cancer cells. Some monoclonal antibodies mark cancer cells so that they will be better seen and destroyed by the immune system. Other monoclonal antibodies directly stop cancer cells from growing or cause them to self-destruct. Still others carry toxins to cancer cells.

Other types of targeted therapy include other immunotherapies and apoptosis inducers (therapies that start cell death, or apoptosis).

How Targeted Therapies Are Administered and How Often

Targeted therapies can be given in two main ways:

Intravenously (IV)

In this process, the drug is introduced directly to your bloodstream through an IV, similar to how chemotherapy is given in an infusion room at an outpatient cancer center. Monoclonal antibodies are usually given through a needle in a blood vein. Some patients may require a “port” to be inserted in the upper chest area during a short procedure for their treatment. A port may help to decrease anxiety about finding a vein each time for your treatment.
Orally

Some targeted therapies can be taken orally as a pill, a capsule, or a liquid. Small-molecule drugs are pills or capsules that you can swallow.

How often and how long you receive targeted therapy depends on factors such as:

your type of cancer and how advanced it is
the type of targeted therapy
how your body reacts to treatment

You may have treatment every day, every week, or every month. You might also be given the treatment in cycles, a period of treatment followed by a rest, which gives your body a chance to recover and build new healthy cells.

It’s very important that you follow the instructions of your oncologist closely and show up for every appointment. The cancer care team at Consultants in Medical Oncology and Hematology (CMOH) will work with you for your individualized cancer treatment plan.

Side Effects of Targeted Therapy

As with other cancer treatments, targeted therapy can cause side effects. However they tend to be less intense than chemotherapy since most healthy cells are left alone during targeted therapy treatments.

The side effects that you may have depends on the type of targeted therapy you receive and how your body reacts to it. During your first treatment one of our experienced oncology nurses will review the most common side effects specific to your therapy. The most common side effects of targeted therapy include diarrhea and liver problems. Other side effects might include:

problems with blood clotting and wound healing
high blood pressure
fatigue
mouth sores
nail changes
the loss of hair color
skin problems, which might include rash or dry skin

Very rarely, a hole might form through the wall of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large bowel, rectum, or gallbladder.

Our nursing staff will review any medicines that may prevent the side effects from happening or treat them once they occur. Most side effects of targeted therapy go away after treatment ends. Our triage staff is available around the clock for any side effects or treatment related issues. We encourage patients to call 610-492-5900 at the first sign of symptoms or issues and discuss with our triage staff for quick resolution.

Developments in Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapies are a rapidly growing field of cancer research. As researchers continue to study new targets and drugs through clinical trials, there is hope that more cancers will be able to be treated with targeted therapies in the future.

Keep Reading About Cancer Clinical Trials

Go to Clinical Trials

Access to Targeted Therapy in the Greater Philadelphia Area

Consultants in Medical Oncology and Hematology use targeted therapy drugs to treat numerous types of cancer. With that said, not all cancers are receptive to targeted therapy.

Talk to us to find out more and schedule a consultation with an oncologist at our locations in Pennsylvania that serve the Broomall, Glen Mills and Exton areas.

Make an Appointment