Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy is mostly used for cancer treatments that use drug delivery in patients. Targeted therapy drugs aid in preventing the spread and growth of cancer cells. They do so by targeting specific genes or proteins found in cancer cells or in cells that are malignant or related to cancer growth. The main types of targeted therapy are monoclonal antibodies and small-molecule drugs.
Monoclonal Antibodies
Monoclonal antibodies are a type of targeted therapy in the form of molecules that are engineered in a laboratory. They are designed to function by blocking a specific target present on the outside or in the area around the malignant cell. As they bind to antigens located on the surface of malignant cells, they allow drugs and toxic substances to quickly travel directly to the malignant cells, meanwhile avoiding healthy cells.
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Signal Transduction
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Signaling targets function by using signal transduction. Through signal transduction, a pathway of chemical signals that stimulate cell action is blocked by inhibitors, stopping cell growth.
Small-Molecule Drugs
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Small-molecule drugs are designed to function by blocking the process that cancer cells undergo to spread and increase in number. These type of drugs are taken in the form of pills.
Hormone Therapy
Hormonal targets can stop or slow down the growth of tumors that require specific hormones to grow. The purpose of hormonal targets is to prevent the production of more hormones or interfere with hormone activity.