A treatment that targets only cancer cells! Everything about Targeted Therapy in simple terms.

When you hear the word "cancer," the next word that comes to mind is probably "chemotherapy." We all know how difficult and painful it is to treat. We often think of it as hair loss and a lifeless body. But did you know that medical science has advanced so much that it has developed new treatments that target only cancer cells and minimize the damage to healthy cells? That's one of the specific, advanced treatments we're going to talk about today. It's called Targeted Therapy .

Simply put, what is Targeted Therapy?

Imagine dropping bombs on enemies during a war. When you drop a regular bomb, not only the enemies but also the unarmed people and houses around them are destroyed. Chemotherapy is a bit like that. It kills cancer cells, but it can also damage healthy cells in our body that divide rapidly (for example, hair cells, mouth cells).

But, imagine there is a sniper, he looks exactly at the target and shoots only at the enemy. No one around will be harmed. That's what Targeted Therapy does.

In this treatment, your oncologist first looks for the genetic mutation that turned a normal cell in your body into a cancer cell. Then, they identify specific targets on the surface or inside the cancer cell that are caused by that genetic mutation, and select drugs that attack only those targets.

How exactly does this treatment work?

To understand this, let's first simply understand how cancer develops.

Every cell in our body has a set of instructions. We call it DNA. It's like a recipe book for cooking. The instructions in this book tell a cell to divide, grow, and die at a certain time.

When cancer develops, for some reason the instructions in this recipe book go wrong. That means there is a change (mutation) in the genes. Then the cells start dividing uncontrollably. That's what becomes a cancer.

In Targeted Therapy, doctors work by understanding this process step by step:

1. Finding the wrong instructions: First, the tests find out exactly what the wrong genetic instructions, that is, the genetic mutation , are in your cancer cells.

2. Target selection: Next, we identify specific proteins or other molecules that are formed on or inside the cancer cell as a result of this misguided instruction. That is our "target."

3. Designing the right drug: Next, a drug is designed to bind to the identified target. This drug can either kill the cancer cell or block the signaling pathways that help the cell divide.

Because the treatment is targeted precisely in this way, the effect on healthy cells is much less.

What are the main types of targeted therapy?

There are different types of this treatment method. They are classified according to the way they work. Here are some of the main types:

• Small-molecule drugs: These are very small drugs, so they can penetrate cancer cells, attack targets inside the cell, and stop cell growth.
• Immunotherapies: This is a slightly different approach. What we do here is stimulate our own immune system to destroy cancer cells. There are many other treatments under this umbrella.
• Monoclonal antibodies: These are specialized proteins made in a lab, just like the antibodies our bodies make. They can attach to targets on the surface of cancer cells and signal the immune system to destroy the cancer.
• Antibody-drug conjugates: This is a very clever method. Here, a powerful chemo drug is attached to the monoclonal antibody. Once the antibody finds the right cancer cell and sticks to it, the drug is released directly into the cancer cell. It's like a parcel, delivered to the right place.

What types of cancer are successfully treated with this treatment?

Targeted Therapy cannot be used for all cancers. However, today this treatment method is successfully used for many types of cancer. Some of them are:

• Breast cancer
• Lung cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Blood cancer (e.g. Multiple myeloma, Acute leukemia)
• Skin cancer (e.g. Melanoma)
• Colorectal cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Thyroid cancer
• Head and neck cancer
• Cervical cancer

This list is growing every day, as research is constantly discovering new genetic variations and drugs that target them.

How is the treatment given and what can you expect?

There are now over 100 types of targeted therapy drugs. The way you receive this treatment may vary depending on your type of cancer, the type of drug, and your doctor's decisions.

• As a pill: Some medications come in the form of pills that you can take at home.
• As an injection: Some are given into the body as an injection.
• Intravenous (IV): Most often, this treatment is given into the body through a vein, like saline.

Treatment schedules also vary. You may need to take daily, weekly, or monthly treatments. Some treatments require a long period of time, while others are completed within a set period of time.

During your treatment, your doctor will check on you regularly. He or she may do blood tests and CT scans to check how well the treatment is working and how you are feeling. You will also have the opportunity to talk to your doctor about any discomfort you may be experiencing during your treatment.

Key Differences Between Chemotherapy and Targeted Therapy

A question that many people have is which of these two methods is better. To understand that, let's look at the differences between these two methods.

Let's also be aware of the side effects.

Although targeted therapy reduces damage to healthy cells, it is not without side effects. The side effects vary from drug to drug and from person to person. Some common side effects include:

• Diarrhea: Loose stools.
• Skin problems: dry skin, rash, itching.
• Elevated liver enzymes: This can be detected through blood tests.
• Hypertension: Increased blood pressure .
• Blood clots: Risk of blood clots forming in the blood vessels.
• Heart disease: Some medications can affect heart function.
• Delayed wound healing.
• Gastrointestinal bleeding: Blood in the stool or black stool.
• Change in hair color.

Don't be afraid to hear these things. Your doctor will inform you about all of this. Also, he will give you the necessary medications and advice to control these side effects and reduce their impact. If you feel any discomfort, don't delay in telling your doctor.

Targeted Therapy, cancer treatment, cancer, Chemotherapy, cancer cells, side effects, precision medicine, sinhala medical article