Targeted Therapy: Precision Medicine in Cancer Care
Introduction
Targeted therapy are drugs that target specific alterations in cancer. Cancer cells have specific changes in their DNA that give them the capacity to grow, divide and spread indefinitely.
Procedures
Targeted therapy can be in the form of oral tablets or injections. They work against a specific genetic alteration.
Indications
Targeted therapy is indicated in multiple malignancies including lung, breast, stomach, colon, etc. These are decided based on specific genetic testing.
Advantages
Side effect profile with targeted therapy is different from chemotherapy. It is more tolerable and with the tablet form hospital visits are reduced. Hence compliance to therapy and quality of life is better.
