Targeted Therapy

What is Targeted Therapy?

Targeted therapy is a treatment that uses drugs or other substances to identify and attack specific cancer cells — causing less harm to normal cells than traditional chemotherapy.

What Does Targeted Therapy Do?

Each targeted therapy works differently but all interfere with the ability of the cancer cell to grow, divide, repair or function. One type of therapy uses small molecules to get into the cancer cell and disrupt its functions — which destroys the cell. Another therapy targets the receptors on the outside of the cells. A third type targets blood vessels to the cancer cells.

Is Targeted Therapy Right for Me?

Oregon Oncology Specialists embraces the use of targeted therapy to promote improved outcomes for our patients. One benefit of targeted therapy is that patients tend to experience fewer side effects than with traditional cancer treatment. Since researchers agree that targeted therapies do not replace traditional therapies, these may be partnered with other treatments to maximize the effectiveness of your treatment regimen.

New targeted therapies are increasing and are already available for many cancers, including: colon, breast, lung, kidney, melanoma, lymphoma and more.