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Targeted Cancer Therapies

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...

Targeted Cancer Therapies

Targeted Cancer Therapies

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Tumor Immunotherapy

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.

Cancer Vaccines

Cancer Vaccines

Cancer treatment vaccines are a rapidly evolving field that offers a promising approach to immunotherapy. Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent diseases, cancer treatment vaccines are designed to treat existing cancers by stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...

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Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts

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Targeted Cancer Therapy: The Next Generation of Cancer Treatment.

Troy A Baudino¹

¹Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine, Division of Molecular Cardiology, 1901 South First Street, Building 205, Room 1R34, Temple, TX 76504, USA. baudino@medicine.tamhsc.edu.

Current Drug Discovery Technologies

|June 3, 2015

Summary

Targeted cancer therapies offer a more precise approach than traditional chemotherapy by interfering with specific proteins driving tumor growth. This review details three main types: monoclonal antibodies, small molecule inhibitors, and immunotoxins.

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Area of Science:

Oncology
Pharmacology

Background:

Conventional chemotherapy non-selectively targets rapidly dividing cells, affecting both cancerous and normal tissues.
Targeted cancer therapies represent a newer generation of treatment, focusing on specific molecular pathways in tumorigenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the three main classes of targeted cancer therapies: monoclonal antibodies, small molecule inhibitors, and immunotoxins.
To discuss the underlying biology of targeted cancer therapies and their potential benefits.

Main Methods:

Review of current literature on targeted cancer therapies.
Discussion of the mechanisms of action for monoclonal antibodies, small molecule inhibitors, and immunotoxins.

Main Results:

Targeted therapies offer a more precise approach to cancer treatment by interfering with specific proteins involved in cancer development.
These therapies may be more beneficial for various cancer types, including lung, colorectal, breast, lymphoma, and leukemia.
Advances allow for personalized treatment tailored to an individual patient's tumor profile.

Conclusions:

Targeted cancer therapies provide a more selective and potentially more effective treatment strategy compared to conventional chemotherapy.
Understanding the biology of targeted therapies is crucial for optimizing their clinical application.
Personalized medicine approaches are enhancing the efficacy of targeted cancer treatments.