THEL lung cancer it is a complex and very aggressive disease but thanks to the progress of scientific research it is becoming more and more treatable. If until ten years ago the only treatments available were surgery and chemotherapy, today the knowledge of the mechanisms underlying the growth and spread of this neoplasm has allowed us to to develop molecularly targeted drugs capable of selectively targeting cancer cells.
What are targeted cancer therapies?
The targeted therapies they are represented by molecularly targeted drugs that prevent tumor growth and spread by selectively targeting the molecules involved in cancer development. Molecularly targeted drugs represent one of the greatest successes in the fight against cancer in recent years and are the main tool of personalized medicine, as they allow choose the treatment based on the molecular characteristics of the tumor, which may differ from patient to patient.
Targeted drugs for lung cancer
In recent years, research on the molecular characteristics of lung cancer has made it possible to develop some targeted therapies that have radically changed the treatment of this neoplasm. The identification of specific genetic mutations present in patients with lung cancer has in fact led to the development of ad-hoc drugs capable of selectively interfering and blocking the growth of cancer cells, significantly slowing down tumor growth and significantly prolonging patient survival. Among these, the drugs most used today are those capable of striking EFGR, Alk and Ros-1.
How to decide if and which targeted therapy to use?
There molecular classification of the tumor to the lung is today of fundamental importance for the choice of treatment. A molecular target drug, in fact, works only if the molecular target towards which that drug is directed is present in the tumor and it is therefore essential to analyze the DNA of the tumor cells to understand if and which targeted therapy to use.
What are the benefits of molecularly targeted drugs?
Targeted therapies allow you to tailor-made treatment for each patient and significantly increased the chances of survival of patients with advanced lung cancer, precisely because they often work where traditional therapies fail. In recent years, these drugs have also been used successfully as a first-line intervention, i.e. in patients who have not received other treatments previously, and their use is also being studied as an adjuvant therapy to be administered to prevent the disease from recurring.
Does targeted therapy have any side effects?
Molecularly targeted drugs have been developed to “target” cancer cells and safeguard healthy ones, thus reducing side effects and improving the patient’s quality of life. However, even targeted therapies can have side effects, among which we recall diarrhea, fatigue, mouth ulcers, changes in nails and skin, problems with blood clotting, increased blood pressure, risk of infections and flu-like symptoms (fever, lightheadedness and chills).
To know more
If you want to know more about lung cancer, download the manual “Lung cancer: from diagnosis to after treatment” made by Umberto Veronesi Foundation
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