Targeted therapy in oncology

The mechanisms of action of targeted therapy differ from those of traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy. Traditional chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells as well as certain normal tissues. By contrast, targeted therapy blocks the proliferation of cancer cells by interfering with specific molecules required for tumor development and growth. The molecular pathways most often targeted in the treatment of malignant disease are the cell surface antigens, vascular endothelial growth factor, epidermal growth factor receptor and some genetically defined abnormalities. Targeted treatment which includes monoclonal antibodies and small molecule inhibitors has markedly changed the outcomes of chronic myeloid leukemia, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, non-Hodgkin´s lymphoma, renal cancer, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer. The tolerance of targeted therapy is generally better than that of traditional chemotherapy, however, it is associated with severe side effects such as cardiac dysfunction, hypertension, thrombosis, proteinuria, and acneiform rash. Targeted treatment has also raised a lot of new question about the biology of tumors and the tailoring of cancer treatment to an individual patient.

Keywords: Key words: targeted therapy, monoclonal antibodies, small molecules.