Targeted Therapy
Personalized cancer treatments in San Diego
Personalized cancer treatments in San Diego
Targeted therapy is a highly personalized cancer treatment that targets specific abnormalities in the genetic code of a tumor. By identifying these abnormalities, Scripps Cancer Center physicians can determine which targeted therapies could be most effective for each individual patient. For example, instead of using the same treatments for every patient with lung cancer, we would use unique targeted treatments based on their specific tumor mutation.
What is targeted therapy?
Targeted therapy for cancer examines the genetic code of a specific tumor for specific abnormalities, called mutations, that are unique to the tumor cells. Some of these mutations drive the growth of cancer cells; these are called driver mutations and without them cancer cells can’t grow. Customized new therapeutic drugs have been designed to specifically target and block the action of these abnormal tumor-specific mutations.
Types of targeted therapy
- Antibody-drug conjugates: A monoclonal antibody, which is a protein created in a lab, is first injected into the bloodstream to find cancer cells and then combined with a powerful chemotherapy drug to deliver treatment directly to tumors while sparing healthy cells.
- Small-molecule drugs: Small-molecule drugs focus on targets inside cancer cells and disrupt growth.
The type of targeted therapy and length of treatment depends on each patient’s needs.
Questions and considerations
If you have been diagnosed with cancer and your oncologist recommends targeted therapy, you may want to ask questions such as:
- What type of therapy will I need?
- Will I take it by mouth or through an IV or injection?
- How often will I need it?
- How many treatments will I need?
- What are the side effects?
- How can I manage the side effects?
- Where do I go for treatment?
- Will I have to miss work or school?
- Is this covered by my health insurance?