What is the primary action of targeted therapy in cancer treatment?

The primary action of targeted therapy in cancer treatment lies in its design to act on specific functions or processes within cancer cells. This therapeutic approach focuses on identifying and targeting specific molecules or pathways that are crucial for the growth, progression, and survival of cancer. By doing so, targeted therapy aims to disrupt these specific biological mechanisms, ultimately inhibiting the cancer’s ability to thrive without causing widespread damage to healthy cells.

Unlike traditional chemotherapy, which can indiscriminately kill rapidly dividing cells (including both cancerous and healthy cells), targeted therapies are more selective. This selectivity often leads to fewer side effects and a better tolerance from patients, as healthy tissues are largely spared from the therapeutic effects. The specificity of targeted therapy can involve blocking proteins that stimulate cancer cell growth, preventing blood supply formation to tumors, or directly triggering cancer cell death by interfering with critical signaling pathways.

This approach represents a significant advancement in the treatment landscape for various cancers, emphasizing precision in targeting the disease at the molecular level.