We may be familiar with the method of “treating cancer patients” by giving chemotherapy, or medically called “chemotherapy”, to kill rapidly growing cells. Actually, chemotherapy is intended to kill cancer cells, but it inevitably affects normal cells in the body as well, causing patients to experience quite a few side effects.
However, nowadays, cancer treatment has greatly evolved with a focus on targeted therapy, which is called “targeted cancer therapy.” This treatment targets cancer cells directly to stop or slow down their growth only, affecting normal cells minimally, allowing patients to gradually have a better quality of life from the treatment.
Principles of Cancer Treatment with Targeted Therapy Drugs
Targeted cancer drugs differ from chemotherapy drugs in that they specifically stop or slow the growth of cancer cells only, with minimal effects on normal cells in the body.
Cancer Cell Growth
Cancer cell growth requires not only nutrients but also specific chemical substances that signal cancer cells to continue growing without dying like normal cells. These chemicals may be called signal molecules. The signal molecules specific to each type of cancer are produced from oncogenes in our normal cells. Under normal conditions, these oncogenes do not function because the body has mechanisms to suppress their activity. However, when the body malfunctions and these mechanisms are lost, oncogenes can become active. Normal cells then produce cancer signal molecules, stimulating cancer cells to grow, avoid death, and eventually form tumors.
How Do Targeted Cancer Drugs Work?
Targeted cancer drugs interfere with the function of cancer signal molecules by either directly binding to these molecules to stop their activity, preventing them from stimulating cancer cells, or by blocking the surface of target cancer cells so that the signal molecules cannot enter the cancer cells to send normal signals. This causes cancer cells to grow more slowly or stop growing.
Because targeted cancer drugs are specific to different cancer signal molecules that vary among cancer types, and even within the same cancer type there may be several types of signal molecules, doctors need to perform blood tests or biopsy tests on the patient’s cancer tissue to identify the type of cancer signal molecules present. This helps select the appropriate targeted therapy drug for that patient. If the cancer signal molecules are not detected, targeted therapy drugs cannot be given to that patient.
Forms of Targeted Cancer Drugs
- Available as oral tablets
- Administered intravenously
Treatment with these drugs may be used alone or in combination with other treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Side Effects of Targeted Cancer Drugs
Generally, side effects are much fewer than chemotherapy and vary depending on the type of drug used by the patient. Common side effects include:
- Skin symptoms such as hives, itching, allergic reactions, hepatitis
- Diarrhea or constipation, nausea, and vomiting
- Fatigue
- Low white blood cell count, abnormal blood clotting
- High blood pressure
In general, these side effects are not severe and can be managed.
“Cancer” is a disease that both patients and their families fear due to its severity, and they also worry about treatment and side effects, which may cause patients to lose the will to fight the disease.
“Targeted cancer therapy” is therefore a good alternative that can help patients reduce their concerns about treatment and side effects. However, patients must undergo thorough examinations to receive diagnosis results and advice from specialists only.
If the mind becomes strong… the body gradually becomes strong…
Patients will be able to live longer with their families… with quality
Dr. Supachart Chompoonuch
Oncology Specialist
Cancer Center, Phyathai Nawamin Hospital
