kohdennettuhoitojen

Kohdennettuhoitojen, also known as targeted therapies, represent a class of cancer treatments designed to interfere with specific molecules that are involved in the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, which affects all rapidly dividing cells, including healthy ones, targeted therapies are generally more precise and may cause fewer side effects.

These therapies work by identifying and attacking specific genetic mutations or proteins that are unique to cancer cells. For example, some targeted drugs block the signals that tell cancer cells to grow and divide, while others may help the immune system recognize and destroy cancer cells, or deliver toxic substances directly to cancer cells to kill them. The development of targeted therapies is often driven by advances in understanding the molecular biology of cancer, which allows researchers to identify specific targets.

The effectiveness of a targeted therapy depends on the presence of its specific molecular target in a patient's tumor. Therefore, genetic testing or molecular profiling of the tumor is often performed to determine if a particular targeted therapy is likely to be beneficial. While targeted therapies have revolutionized cancer treatment for many patients, they are not a cure for all cancers and resistance to these therapies can develop over time. Research continues to identify new targets and develop novel targeted drugs to overcome resistance and improve patient outcomes.