Targeted Therapy to Treat Cancer

Targeted therapy treats cancer by targeting proteins that control how cancer cells grow, divide, and spread.

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What Is Targeted Therapy?

Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment that targets proteins that control how cancer cells grow, divide, and spread. It is the foundation of precision medicine. As researchers learn more about the DNA changes and proteins that drive cancer, they are better able to design treatments that target these proteins.

What Are the Types of Targeted Therapy?

Most targeted therapies are either small-molecule drugs or monoclonal antibodies. Small-molecule drugs are small enough to enter cells easily, so they are used for targets that are inside cells. Monoclonal antibodies, also known as therapeutic antibodies, are proteins produced in the lab. These proteins are designed to attach to specific targets found on cancer cells. Some monoclonal antibodies mark cancer cells so that they will be better seen and destroyed by the immune system. Other monoclonal antibodies directly stop cancer cells from growing or cause them to self-destruct. Still, others carry toxins to cancer cells. Learn more about monoclonal antibodies.

Who Is Treated With Targeted Therapy?