What is Targeted Therapy?
Targeted therapy is an effective cancer treatment that targets the genetic changes or mutations in cells that cause the healthy cells to grow, divide, and rapidly spread across the body. Targeted therapy mainly targets and destroys cancer cells without harming healthy ones.
How does targeted therapy work?
Targeted therapy drugs are mainly focused to:
- Block proteins that send growth signals: Some targeted therapy drugs block proteins that send signals to cancer cells that help them to grow and divide.
- Stopping blood vessel formation: Some drugs obstruct the formation of blood vessels that help tumors to grow.
- Deliver cancer-killing substances to cancer cells: There are some specific drugs that deliver cancer-killing toxins directly into the cancer cells while avoiding healthy cells.
- Boost the overall immune system: Some drugs help to boost the overall immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells effectively.
- Marking cancer cells for destruction: Some drugs can effectively mark cancer cells so that the immune system can identify and destroy them easily.
Why choose Oncare for your Cancer Surgery?
Oncare cancer center is a leading cancer hospital in India. Oncare is one of the best mid-sized cancer hospitals highly dedicated to delivering the best cancer treatment in India.
- Affordable and transparent cancer treatments: At Oncare, we provide high-quality cancer treatments, including advanced cancer surgeries, at a low cost—up to 30 to 40% lower compared to other private cancer hospitals in India. We offer transparent and valuable cancer services with clear billings, so there are no hidden or in-hand payments.
- Experienced oncologist team: We have an experienced oncologist team that offers personalized treatment plans for patients to provide the best treatment experience.
- Safe and reliable treatments: At Oncare, our core values are trust and reliability. We prioritize our patients' safety and deliver treatments to ensure safety, comfort, and confidence.
- Timely consultation and on-time care: At Oncare, we offer timely consultations and quick attention while in any government hospital you may experience long waiting hours for consultation and delayed treatments.
How is targeted therapy given?
You may receive targeted therapy:
- Oral (Pills): Many targeted therapy drugs are now available in pill or tablet forms, which makes it more convenient to have at home.
- Intravenous (IV): Some targeted therapies are given through an IV.
- Injection: Several targeted therapies are given in the form of an injection or a shot under the skin or muscle.
Your healthcare team might decide on the targeted therapy drugs depending on the patient’s treatment plan.
Where and how often do you receive targeted therapy?
Targeted therapies are given in hospitals or clinics under the supervision of a medical team. Oral targeted therapies are the same drugs that are available in the form of pills and tablets that are easy to take at home.
Treatment schedules might vary depending on the type and stage of cancer, and additionally, the power of the specific drugs. There are some targeted therapy drugs that are taken daily, while some might be taken through IV infusions with a time gap of weekly or monthly.
What to expect with targeted therapy
- During treatment: patients usually receive these targeted therapy drugs on a daily basis or in cycles. The drugs are given in cycles with few-week gaps; it often allows the patient's body to get some rest.
- Potential side effects: The side effects of targeted therapy can vary depending on the drugs. These side effects are less severe, and common side effects may include fatigue, skin changes, nausea, and high blood pressure.
- Response time period: Targeted therapies on a patient might show some response within a few weeks or months. However, it often varies by individual health condition and type of cancer.
Preparing for targeted therapy
- Follow guidelines: Your medical team might suggest you follow some guidelines in terms of diet and medications to avoid before and after the procedure.
- Inform your healthcare provider: Always inform your healthcare teams about any other medical conditions, including the intake of several medicines on a daily basis, which helps to prevent any interaction between drugs after the procedure.
- Stay hydrated and take proper rest: Drinking plenty of water and getting enough rest might help you to manage any side effects.
- Bring essential items: Try to wear comfortable clothes and carry essential items, including water bottles, necessary medicines, and warm blankets, to help you relax during the session.
Tracking progress
Your medical team will observe the patient after the procedure to analyze any response from the body.
- Regular follow-up: Frequent checkups might allow your oncologist team to monitor the progress of treatments and make necessary adjustments to change the treatment plan if needed.
- Imaging tests: Scans such as CTs and MRIs that are performed regularly. These are used to observe how the cancer is responding to the current treatments.
- Blood tests: Performing necessary blood tests shows any changes in the cancer markers. It can also help to assess the effects of treatment on the organs.
Common targeted therapy drugs?
Here are some of the commonly used drugs in targeted therapy:
- Imatinib (Gleevec): This type of drug is often used for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).
- Trastuzumab (Herceptin): This drug is commonly used for HER-2 positive breast cancer.
- Bevacizumab (Avastin): This drug is often used to block blood supply for tumors in cancers such as colorectal and lung cancer.
- Erlotinib (Tarceva): This drug is typically used for different types of lung cancer.
- Rituximab (Rituxan): This drug is mostly used for some types of lymphoma and leukemia, mainly targeting specific types of proteins present on cancer cells.
Frequently Asked Questions
Targeted therapy is an effective cancer treatment that uses specific drugs or other substances to identify and attack specific molecules on cancer cells. This aims to target the growth of cancer cells without harming the healthy cells.
Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment that destroys cancer cells by interfering with specific molecules, including proteins that might control cell growth and cell division.
These may include:
- Blocking proteins that send signals to cancer cells
- These drugs interfere with cell processes
- These drugs can often mark cancer cells for destruction
- Targeted therapies stops the blood vessel formation
Targeted therapy is given to treat several types of cancer, including breast, lung, and prostate cancer, and additionally some types of blood cancer, including leukemia and lymphoma.
Targeted therapies are delivered in the form of pills or tablets or intravenously through an infusion (IV). In some cases, the targeted therapies are given as injections to patients.