Beacon Clinic treats cancer, rheumatology, and urology patients in the Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls area, and has an additional oncology facility in Boise. We are committed to providing advanced, personalized cancer services to our patients in North and Southern Idaho by providing comprehensive support and care and working with the best cancer teams in Idaho and nationwide. One of the most exciting developments we see in modern oncology is targeted therapy, a form of precision medicine that is transforming how we treat cancer.
Unlike traditional treatments that affect both healthy and cancerous cells, targeted therapy focuses specifically on the unique characteristics of cancer cells. This approach allows for more effective treatment with fewer side effects for many patients.
What Is Targeted Therapy?
Targeted therapy uses various drugs designed to identify and attack specific molecules, genes, or proteins that contribute to cancer growth and survival. These targets are often found only in cancer cells, or are much more active in them than in normal cells. When oncologists are able to hone in on these specific features in different types of cancer, targeted therapy may work by:
- Blocking signals that tell cancer cells to grow
- Stopping cancer cells from dividing
- Cutting off the blood supply tumors need to grow
- Triggering cancer cells to self-destruct
This precision, when appropriate, enables doctors to deliver a more tailored and effective treatment approach.
How Is Targeted Therapy Different from Chemotherapy?
Traditional chemotherapy works by killing rapidly dividing cells, which includes cancer cells; however, it also affects some healthy cells, leading to side effects such as hair loss and/or nausea.
Targeted therapy, in contrast, tends to be more selective. It aims to disrupt specific biological processes that are unique to cancer cells. The advantage of targeted therapy is that it often results in:
- Fewer side effects
- More precise treatment
- Improved outcomes for certain types of cancer
However, targeted therapy is not suitable for every patient or every type of cancer. Its effectiveness depends on the specific genetic makeup of the tumor.
The Role of Precision Medicine
In nearly every field of medicine, from surgery to cancer, medical technology is developing more ways to treat various diseases and conditions in ways that minimize the side effects or ancillary adverse effects of the treatments. Historically, treating cancer has tended toward aggressive, radical approaches. But as researchers continue learning more about how cancer cells begin, grow, are caused, and propagate, therapies are being developed that show greater promise in enabling oncologists to diminish the significant side effects that cancer treatment has usually entailed.
Targeted therapy for cancer is a key part of precision medicine, providing an approach that tailors treatment to each individual based on their genetics, tumor characteristics, and overall health. Before starting targeted therapy, patients often undergo:
- Genetic or molecular testing of the tumor
- Lab work to identify specific markers or mutations
- Imaging studies to determine the extent of cancer
This information helps oncologists determine whether any available targeted therapies are likely to be effective.
Types of Targeted Therapy
There are several types of targeted therapies, and each works in a different way. Here are some of the potential targeted therapies that are used for treating different types of cancer:
1. Monoclonal Antibodies
These are lab-made proteins that attach to specific targets on cancer cells, marking them for destruction or blocking their growth signals.
2. Small-Molecule Drugs
These drugs enter cancer cells and interfere with internal processes that help the cells grow and divide.
3. Angiogenesis Inhibitors
Tumors are vascular, drawing oxygen and nutrients from the body that help them grow. Angiogenesis inhibitor therapies block the formation of new blood vessels, cutting off a tumor’s blood supply and limiting its growth.
4. PARP Inhibitors
The body’s enzymes help repair damaged DNA so that cells can grow. PARP inhibitors block enzymes from repairing damaged DNA of cancer cells.
5. Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs)
ADCs combine an antibody with chemotherapy. The antibody seeks out the cancer cell, then delivers chemotherapy directly to the tumor, in contrast with regular chemotherapy in which the drugs attack both cancerous and healthy cells.
What Types of Cancer Can Be Treated with Targeted Therapy?
Targeted therapy may be used for a number of cancers, including:
- Breast cancer
- Lung cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Leukemia and lymphoma
- Kidney cancer
- Melanoma
As research advances, more targeted treatments are becoming available for different types of cancers, offering new hope for patients to be able to experience successful therapies with less impact on other aspects of their health.
Side Effects of Targeted Therapy
While targeted therapy is often better tolerated than traditional chemotherapy, it can still cause side effects. These vary depending on the medication and may include:
- Fatigue
- Skin changes or rash
- Diarrhea
- High blood pressure
- Liver function changes
Your care team at Beacon Clinic will fully inform you of the potential side effects prior to undergoing treatment, and we will monitor you closely , helping you to manage any side effects that arise to ensure the best possible experience during treatment.
The Future of Cancer Care
There are advances all the time in cancer research and treatment, and targeted therapy represents a major step forward. By focusing on the unique biology of each patient’s cancer, oncologists can create more effective and individualized treatment plans, and with every day and every patient, we learn more. The possibilities for precision medicine continue to expand, bringing hope for even better outcomes and more personalized care in the future.
Beacon Clinic is proud to offer advanced cancer treatment options, including targeted therapies, to patients throughout Coeur d’Alene, Boise, and surrounding communities. Our oncology team combines cutting-edge science with compassionate care to develop treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, understanding your treatment options is an important first step. Contact Beacon Clinic today to schedule a consultation and to learn whether targeted therapy is an option for your personalized care plan. Precision medicine may be able to support your journey toward better health.
