Targeted cancer therapies are drugs or other substances that block the growth and spread of cancer by interfering with specific molecules involved in tumor growth and progression.Targeted therapy is a type of treatment that targets a cancer's specific genes, proteins, or the tissue environment that contributes to cancer growth and survival. Not all tumors have the same targets, so doctors may run tests to match a cancer with the most effective treatment.
Immunotherapy (also called biologic therapy or biotherapy) is a type of cancer treatment that uses the body's immune system to fight cancer. There are several types of immunotherapy, including monoclonal antibodies, non-specific immunotherapies, and cancer vaccines.
Many of these therapies focus on proteins that are involved in cell signaling pathways, which form a complex communication system that governs basic cellular functions and activities, such as cell division, cell movement, cell responses to specific external stimuli, and even cell death. By blocking signals that tell cancer cells to grow and divide uncontrollably, targeted cancer therapies can help stop cancer progression and may induce cancer cell death through a process known as apoptosis. Other targeted therapies can cause cancer cell death directly, by specifically inducing apoptosis, or indirectly, by stimulating the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells and/or by delivering toxic substances directly to the cancer cells. Types of targeted therapy
Monoclonal antibodies
These substances, block a specific target on the outside of cancer cells or in the tissue surrounding the cancer. Think of this as placing a protective plastic plug into an electrical socket to prevent electricity from flowing. Monoclonal antibodies can also deliver toxic substances, such as chemotherapy and radioactive substances, directly to cancer cells. These drugs are usually given intravenously (IV) because they are large compounds that are not absorbed well by the body.
Oral small drugs
These drugs are usually given in the form of a pill that a patient takes by mouth. Because they contain smaller chemical components than monoclonal antibodies, the body absorbs them better. These drugs usually block processes inside cancer cells that stimulate them to multiply and spread.
There are a number of targeted therapies that have been approved to treat different types of cancer. Below are just a few examples. Remember, a targeted treatment will not work if the tumor does not contain the target; however, the presence of the target also does not guarantee that the treatment will work. Talk with your doctor or another member of your health care team for more information about your treatment options.
The immune system sometimes has difficulty recognising cancer cells and doesn't destroy them. The cancer cells then continue to grow.The aim of cancer vaccines is to stimulate the immune system to be able to recognise cancer cells as abnormal and destroy them.Cancer vaccines are made from the person's own cancer cells or from cells that are grown in a laboratory. The cancer cells are treated with heat or radiation. This is so that they cannot multiply and grow and to make sure that they cannot cause harm.Certain proteins may then be taken from the cancer cells and used to make a cancer vaccine. As the cancer vaccine contains similar proteins to the cancer cells, it's hoped that the immune system will be stimulated to attack and destroy them. Cancer vaccines are usually a liquid that's given by an injection under the skin. The possible side effects of cancer vaccines include a skin reaction at the injection site, a skin rash or mild flu-like symptoms. Certain cancer vaccines may cause more specific symptoms and you should be told about these by your nurse or doctor before starting treatment.Vaccines are being used in research trials. Find More Information on NCI or ASCO