Targeted therapy identifies weaknesses in cancer cells and then targets them with drug treatments to stop the cancer from growing and spreading.
These weaknesses are called molecular targets. By blocking molecular targets, targeted therapy can stop cancer growth at the source, reducing or even killing the cancer if successful.
Targeted therapy is used to treat childhood cancers including lymphoma, leukaemia and sarcoma. Most targeted therapies are either small-molecule drugs or monoclonal antibodies. Small-molecule drugs are used for targets in cells, because they are small enough to get inside a cell. Monoclonal antibodies are lab-produced proteins that attach to targets found on cancer cells.
The side effects of targeted therapy include diarrhoea , liver problems, blood clotting, high blood pressure, fatigue, mouth sores and hair and skin problems.
Zero Childhood Cancer, an Australian-developed comprehensive precision medicine program for children with cancer, is now available to all children with cancer in the country thanks to seed funding from charities like The Kids’ Cancer Project.
For more information on targeted therapy