La Minute du Dr RoseUp – Targeted therapy, kesako? – RoseUp Association %

TRANSCRIPT

Today we are interested in an anti-cancer drug that has revolutionized the treatment of many cancers since the early 2000s: targeted therapy.

Why targeted?

Because it is a treatment that targets a specific target identified either on the surface of the cancer cell or inside it.

These therapies are based on the molecular profile of the tumor.

Their goal? Block these targets to prevent cancer cells from reproducing and the tumor from growing.

Concretely, what is targeted therapy?

They are divided into 2 large families:

there are antibodies which act on a target outside the tumor, generally a particular receptor;

And then there are the small inhibitory molecules which act rather inside the tumor.

Are these tablets?

It can indeed be taken orally, but it can also be administered by injection.

And it is prescribed either alone or combined with another anti-cancer treatment such as chemotherapy.

Are there any side effects to targeted therapy?

With targeted therapy, healthy cells are preserved more than with chemotherapy. This helps minimize certain side effects. Thus, little nausea or alopecia is observed.

On the other hand, this type of treatment is likely to cause skin rashes, hypertension, hematomas, etc. Depending on the toxicities observed, the oncologist may adapt the treatment.