Definition & Meaning of "targeted therapy"

What is "targeted therapy"?

Targeted therapy is a medical treatment that focuses on specific molecules or pathways involved in the growth and survival of cancer cells. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, which affects all quickly dividing cells, whether healthy or cancerous, targeted therapy aims to block or harm specific molecules or proteins that are unique to cancer cells. This precise approach helps to stop the growth and spread of cancer while minimizing damage to healthy cells. Targeted therapy may involve drugs that are taken orally or given through a vein, and it is customized for the genetic structure of individual patients and the qualities of their cancer. This treatment is used alongside other therapies like chemotherapy and radiation to effectively manage and treat various types of cancer.