In cancer treatments, there are many therapies which can treat the patient’s condition. Moreover, doctors decide therapies depending upon factors like age, gender, disease type and stage. Targeted therapy and chemotherapy are one of the cornerstones in cancer treatment. Furthermore, they work differently to attack the cancer cells and their growth. Finally, it helps the body recover from cancer and manages its symptoms.
What Is Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is used to target fast-growing cells. On the other hand, doctors commonly use these in cancer treatments. Moreover, as cancer cells divide and grow rapidly, it can stop their progression.
How Does Chemotherapy Work?
This therapy works by using medicine which destroys rapidly growing and dividing cells. In addition, these can aid in destroying or preventing the cancer from spreading. Also, this medicine travels throughout the body and sometimes affects healthy cells. Thus, leading to side effects in the body.
What Is Targeted Therapy?
Targeted therapy belongs under precision medicine. Furthermore, it can target certain factors which promote disease growth. Therefore, it can include proteins, biomarkers and genes. Also, it can decrease cancer spread and decrease the side effects to healthy cells.
How Does Targeted Therapy Work?
This can target specific components which help tumors grow, survive and divide. Also, targeted therapy works according to cancer types. The different works are as follows:
- Block new blood vessels: Stop the growth of blood vessels, the source of the tumor.
- Mark cancer cells: Bind to cancer cells so that your immune system can recognise them and attack them.
- Inhibit cell signals: Disrupt the proteins that trigger the growth of cancer cells.
Key Differences Between Targeted Therapy and Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy kills all rapidly dividing cells. On the other hand, targeted therapy only targets certain molecules. Moreover, they can block signals, proteins and gene mutations. Furthermore, the key difference is that targeted therapy does not attack healthy cells. But chemotherapy can inhibit healthy cell division.
Why Does Genetic Testing Matter for Any Therapy?
Genetic testing helps doctors to decide the exact root cause of a disease. Moreover, it can aid them in avoiding trial treatments. Also, doctors can create specific treatment plans and medicines for patients.
What are the common side effects of chemotherapy?
There are certain common side effects, like:
- Fatigue
- Hair Loss
- Pain in the hands and feet
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Taste Changes
- Higher Infection Risk
- Anemia
- Bleeding
- Skin & Nail Changes
- Fertility Issues
What are the common side effects of targeted therapy?
There are certain common side effects, like:
- Rash
- Nail & Hair Changes
- Diarrhea & Nausea
- Mouth Sores
- Fatigue
- High blood pressure
- Liver & kidney issues
- Wound Healing problems
Can Chemotherapy and Targeted Therapy Be Used Together?
Yes, both therapies can be used in combination. Moreover, it can enhance treatment and decrease drug resistance. Therefore, their combined work is:
- Stooping rapidly dividing cells and targeting specific genes
- Target therapy can make cancer cells visible for chemotherapy to kill them
- It can treat multiple cancers with specific mutations too
What is the future of cancer treatment?
The future of cancer treatment is precision therapies. Moreover, it can also include treatments like the following:
- CAR-T cell therapy
- mRNA Cancer Vaccines
- Liquid Biopsies
- AI and Digital Pathology
Conclusion
Cancer treatments have evolved in recent times and modern times. Doctors have relied on both chemotherapy and targeted therapy for treatments. Furthermore, this aids them in destroying cancer cells. On the other hand, there are multiple side effects to both therapies. Yet, chemotherapy shows advanced side effects because it attacks healthy cells too. Thus, patients depend on modern precision therapies to enhance survival.
FAQs
Why do doctors make personalised treatment plans?
This helps them to treat the specific condition of the patient. Moreover, each patient has different side effects and resistance. Therefore, it is essential to decide their root cause of disease.
Why do doctors use targeted therapy more in cancer treatments?
It acts as a precision therapy and attacks specific molecules. Furthermore, it spares healthy cells and reduces overall side effects.
References
- Tsimberidou, A. M. (2015). Targeted therapy in cancer. Cancer chemotherapy and pharmacology, 76(6), 1113-1132. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00280-015-2861-1
- Gerber, D. E. (2008). Targeted therapies: a new generation of cancer treatments. American family physician, 77(3), 311-319. https://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/0201/p311
- Nygren, P. (2001). What is cancer chemotherapy?. Acta Oncologica, 40(2-3), 166-174. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02841860151116204
- Mitchison, D. A. (1979). Basic mechanisms of chemotherapy. Chest, 76(6), 771-776. https://journal.chestnet.org/article/S0012-3692(16)39384-9/abstract
- Joo, W. D., Visintin, I., & Mor, G. (2013). Targeted cancer therapy–are the days of systemic chemotherapy numbered?. Maturitas, 76(4), 308-314. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378512213002922
