Targeted Drug Therapies

Targeted Drug Therapies exploit the behaviour of cancer cells in order to destroy them or slow their growth.

How does Targeted Drug Therapies work?

Targeted Drug Therapies exploit the behaviour of cancer cells in order to destroy them or slow their growth.

These drugs not only slow the growth of the cancer cell, but they also spare the healthy cells to a greater extent to chemotherapy.

Although targeted drug therapy still offers some side effects, the treatment is given over a prolonged period of time to control the cancer. This type of therapy can use Traztuzumab to treat breast cancer and Erlotinib to treat lung cancer.

Antiagonic Therapy

This type of treatment blocks the growth of new blood vessels, which are needed for cancer to grow. Bevacuzimab is used in antiagonic therapy to treat breast, bowel and ovarian cancers.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy uses drugs to stimulate the immune system, allowing it to fight the cancer. While research is still being done to find out which cancers may benefit from this treatment, it has shown to work well in kidney, prostate, and melanoma cancers.

Radioisotope Therapy

This therapy involves joining a radioactive element to a drug so that it can enter the body either via the mouth or injection. The radiation then travels short distances to attack the cancer cells from within the body tissues. This therapy has been used to treat advanced prostate cancer.

We work together to combine the highest levels of consultant-led care and patient choice with the most advanced knowledge and understanding of the disease and its forms.

Cancers Targeted Drug Therapies can treat

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK. Almost 60,000 women are diagnosed with this disease every year, with an extra 7,400 breast cancer sufferers diagnosed with an earlier, non-invasive form, confined to a specific area of the breast (usually milk ducts) but which may later acquire the ability to spread.

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Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the growth of abnormal cells that begin in one or both lungs, often in the cells that line the air passages. The abnormal cells divide more quickly than normal cells and form tumours. The tumour increases in size and eventually learns to spread (metastasise) to other parts of the body via the blood stream.

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Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer usually develops slowly, so there may be no signs for many years but in a small proportion of men, it can grow more swiftly and in some cases spread to other parts of the body, in particular the bones. It is the most common cancer in men in the UK.

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Q. How does it work?

A. Targeted drug therapy works by exploiting the behaviour of cancer cells to either slow their growth.

Q. Is this the same as chemotherapy?

A. No, while it may work in a similar way to chemotherapy, it saves healthy cells to a much greater extent, meaning less severe side-effects.

Q. What side effects can I expect?

A. Side effects vary based on the patient and the type of cancer being treated. Some side effects you could experience include skin problems, high blood pressure or problems with blood clotting. Your doctor will go through any side effects you could expect with you.