In today's time there are various treatment options available among these, targeted therapy is one of the most effective. Targeted therapy is a modern treatment approach. It has transformed the way of cancer treatment by providing precision-based treatment. Compared to traditional chemotherapy, which affects both normal and abnormal cells, target therapy attacks cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues. Moreover, It works on a genetic level to control the spread of cancer. Target therapy offers better disease control, minimal side effects, and improve survival rate. With advancements in genetic testing, targeted drugs like Pazopanib, Nexavar, Sorafenib, and Votrient have become essential for treating various advanced cancers worldwide. Let's breaks down how targeted therapy works, its benefits, top medicines, and challenges patients should know.
Understanding Targeted Therapy
Target therapy is the class of medicines which are especially designed to attack specific cancer cell's proteins as well as genes. It usually works on tumor profiling and genetic mutation testing. Due to this mechanism, healthy tissues face far less damage as compared to chemotherapy. Furthermore, target therapy is commonly used in the treatment of kidney cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, and certain types of blood cancers.
Cancer Associated with Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy helps to treat the following cancers:
Renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer)
Hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer)
Colorectal cancer (with KRAS/NRAS/BRAF profiling)
Non-small cell lung cancer with mutations
Thyroid cancer
Breast cancer (HER2+, hormone receptor-positive)
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST)
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
How Targeted Therapy Works
Target therapy works in the following way:
Firstly, it works by blocking the signals which are responsible for the growth and multiplication of the cancer cells.
It blocks the angiogenesis (process of blood vessel formation).
It stops cancer cells from repairing themselves.
Promote cancer cell death without harming the healthy cells.
Mechanism, Action & Effectiveness
Mechanism:
Targeted therapies work by focusing on specific molecular targets such as VEGF, EGFR, ALK, PDGFR, and BRAF. As these pathways promotes cancer cell growth & multiplication, blood vessel formation, and metastasis.
Therefore, by blocking specific pathways and protein actions target therapy drugs slow down or stop the progression of cancer cells without harming healthy cells.
Action:
As a result, targeted therapy based drugs block the action of specific protein, abnormal signaling, inhibit supply to tumors, reduce cancer spread, as well as the uncontrolled cancer cells growth.
Result in slower cancer progression and better management of metastatic or advanced stages cancer.
Effectiveness:
They are highly effective in patients with specific genetic mutations. Target therapy provides better tolerance as compared to chemotherapy.
Additionally, they improve progression-free survival, and more personalized cancer treatment approach.
Top Targeted Therapy Medicines and Their Uses
1. Pazopanib 200 mg Tablet
Pazopanib 200 mg Tablet belongs to the protein kinase inhibitor class of anticancer medicines. It works by acting on VEGFR, PDGFR, and c-KIT. By blocking the action of specific protein it reduce growth of tumor as well as cancer cells and angiogenesis. Doctor prescribes it in the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer and soft-tissue sarcoma. It is primarily used when other treatments fail.
2. Nexavar 200 mg Tablet (Sorafenib)
Nexavar 200 mg Tablet (Sorafenib) contains Sorafenib (200mg) as an active ingredient belongs to the class of drug known as tyrosine kinase inhibitor. It works by acting on specific protein to block tumor cell signaling and angiogenesis pathways. Additionally, it also restricts blood supply to tumors.
Doctor prescribes it to treat hepatocellular carcinoma, advanced renal cell carcinoma, and differentiated thyroid carcinoma. It slows down the progression of cancer effectively.
3. Sorafenib 200 mg / Sorafenat 200 mg Tablet
Sorafenib 200 mg / Sorafenat 200 mg Tablet is an anticancer medicine belongs to the class of drug known as tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Doctors also recommend it as a more affordable alternative.
Commonly prescribed to treat liver cancer, kidney cancer, and thyroid cancer. It works by blocking RAF kinase and VEGF pathways to slow down the growth of tumor.
4. Votrient 400 mg Tablet
Votrient 400mg Tablet contains Pazopanib as an active ingredient belongs to the class of drug known as protein kinase inhibitor. It is a higher-strength formulation to control more aggressive cancer.
It is used to treat advanced renal cell carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer and soft-tissue sarcoma. It helps to inhibit tumor cell proliferation and angiogenesis by blocking the action of specific protein.
5. Other Key Targeted Medicines
Lenvakast 10 mg Capsule (Lenvatinib)
Lenvakast 10 mg Capsule is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor which work by inhibiting the pathways of VEGFR, FGFR, PDGFR, and RET. It is known for strong anti-angiogenic effects. Prescribed to treat liver cancer, kidney cancer, and thyroid cancer.
Versavo 400 mg Injection (Bevacizumab)
Versavo 400 mg Injection is a monoclonal antibody work by targeting VEGF-A to prevent new blood vessel formation in tumors. Results in slow down the growth of tumors. Commonly used to treat colorectal cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and glioblastoma.
However, it is used in combination with chemotherapy to increase treatment response.
Sorafenat 200 mg Tablet
Sorafenat 200 mg Tablet is an anticancer medicine prescribed to treat certain types of liver cancer, kidney cancer, and thyroid cancer. It is a widely used cost-effective sorafenib formulation in India. Additionally, it is popular due to affordability and clinical reliability.
Key Benefits of Targeted Therapy
These are the following key benefits of this treatment method:
Fewer side effects as compared to chemotherapy.
Personalized treatment approach based as per tumor genetics.
Decrease the growth, spread, and recurrence risk of cancer.
Provide higher precision along with better tumor response.
Enables long-term disease control in many types of cancer.
Clinical Impact and Global Use
Here are the following clinical impact & global use of target therapy medicines:
Improves survival rate in metastatic and advanced cancers.
Widely used across the US, UK, Europe, UAE, India, and Southeast Asia.
Allows patients to continue daily activities during the treatment.
Plays a key role in modern combination therapy strategies such as the combination of immunotherapy with targeted therapy.
Challenges and Monitoring
As target therapy is a highly effective treatment approach. However, it also has some challenges and monitoring such as:
Regular health monitoring is essential during the treatment.
Some targeted medicines are expensive.
Over time, resistance can also develop which requires changes in medication.
Not all patients have mutations that respond to these therapies, that's why genetic testing is essential.
Conclusion
In conclusion, targeted therapy has revolutionized cancer treatment by offering precise and effective alternatives to conventional options. Some highly effective target based medicines like Pazopanib, Nexavar, Sorafenib, Votrient, Lenvakast, and Versavo are available at Magicine Pharma in reasonable price range. These medicines improved the survival rate and quality of life of patients on a global level.
FAQs
Q-Which cancers can be treated with targeted therapy?
A-Certain types of cancer including liver, kidney, thyroid, colorectal, breast, neuroendocrine tumors can be treated with targeted therapy.
Q-Is targeted therapy better than chemotherapy?
A-Yes for eligible patients. Additionally, it offers fewer side effects with a more effective treatment approach for mutation-driven cancers.
References:
1. National Cancer Institute – Targeted Therapy Overview
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/targeted-therapies
2. American Cancer Society – Targeted Cancer Therapies
https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/treatment-types/targeted-therapy.html
3. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) – Targeted Therapies Review
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5777490/
4. Mayo Clinic – Targeted Therapy for Cancer
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/targeted-therapy-for-cancer
5. ASCO (American Society of Clinical Oncology) – Targeted Therapy Factsheet
https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/how-cancer-treated/targeted-therapy
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