Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment that specifically targets cancer cells while minimizing damage to normal cells. This approach is commonly used for both breast cancer and gynecological cancers. Unlike chemotherapy, which attacks all rapidly dividing cells, targeted therapy interferes with specific molecules involved in cancer growth and progression.

Targeted Therapy for Breast Cancer
  • HER2-Targeted Therapy: For breast cancers that overexpress the HER2 protein, drugs like trastuzumab (Herceptin) and pertuzumab (Perjeta) block HER2 receptors and slow tumor growth.
  • Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer: Drugs such as tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors target estrogen and progesterone receptors, reducing hormone-driven tumor growth.
  • CDK4/6 Inhibitors: These drugs, such as palbociclib (Ibrance), block proteins that promote cancer cell division.
  • PARP Inhibitors: Used in BRCA-mutated breast cancers, these drugs interfere with DNA repair mechanisms in cancer cells.
Targeted Therapy for Gynecological Cancers
  • Cervical Cancer: Bevacizumab (Avastin) is an angiogenesis inhibitor that prevents tumor blood vessel growth.
  • Ovarian Cancer: PARP inhibitors, such as olaparib (Lynparza), target DNA repair pathways in BRCA-mutated tumors.
  • Endometrial Cancer: Some cases respond to targeted therapies like pembrolizumab (Keytruda) when combined with other drugs.

Targeted therapy is often combined with other treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, or immunotherapy for better outcomes. Consultation with an oncologist can help determine the best treatment strategy based on the cancer type and stage.