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Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment that focuses on specific changes inside cancer cells that allow them to grow. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, which affects both healthy and cancerous cells, targeted therapy is designed to precisely target genetic changes in cells. This approach slows or stops cancer growth while limiting damage to normal cells.

Blue Ridge Cancer Care patients in Southwest Virginia have access to these advanced targeted therapies at our cancer centers located in the Roanoke area.

How Targeted Therapy Works

Cancer cells often rely on specific genes, proteins, or pathways to grow and spread. Targeted therapy drugs are designed to block these processes. Some therapies stop signals that tell cancer cells to grow, while others interfere with the tumor’s ability to develop a blood supply or repair damaged DNA.

Because these treatments are designed around the biology of the cancer, they are often used when testing shows that a tumor has certain genetic features that can be targeted.

Categories of Targeted Therapy for Cancer

There are several types of targeted therapy. Each one works differently. Some are widely used across many cancers, while others are newer or used in more specific situations.

  • Monoclonal Antibodies - One of the most commonly used types of targeted therapy, these lab-made proteins attach to specific markers on the outside of cancer cells. Once attached, they can either block signals that help the cancer grow or flag the cancer cells so the immune system can find and destroy them. Some well-known examples include trastuzumab for HER2-positive breast cancer and rituximab for certain lymphomas.
  • Small-Molecule Drugs - Also widely used, this targeted therapy drug is designed to enter cancer cells easily. Once inside, they block important processes that the cancer cells rely on to grow and survive. Many of these medications are taken as pills and are commonly used in various types of cancer.
  • Signal Transduction Inhibitors - A specific group of small-molecule drugs that block abnormal signals inside cancer cells. These signals tell cancer cells to grow and divide uncontrollably. A well-known group within this category is tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as imatinib, which are used in certain blood cancers and other tumors.
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors - This targeted therapy works by stopping tumors from forming new blood vessels. Cancer cells need a steady blood supply to grow and spread, so cutting off this supply can slow or shrink the tumor.
  • Antibody-Drug Conjugates - This newer type of targeted therapy combines two approaches. ADCs use a monoclonal antibody to find and attach to cancer cells, then deliver a small dose of chemotherapy directly into those cells. This allows for more precise treatment while limiting damage to healthy tissue.
  • PARP Inhibitors - Can be used in certain cancers, particularly breast and ovarian cancers with a BRCA gene mutation. These drugs block a cancer cell’s ability to repair its own DNA. Without the ability to fix damage, the cancer cells eventually die.
  • Proteasome Inhibitors - Typically used in blood cancers, this targeted therapy interferes with the cancer cell’s ability to break down and recycle proteins. As a result, damaged proteins build up inside the cell, leading to cell death. These therapies are more specialized and used in select cases.

How to Identify Which Targeted Therapy Will Be Most Effective

Before starting targeted therapy, biomarker testing is performed to better understand the cancer's genetic makeup. Biomarkers are specific genes, proteins, or mutations found in cancer cells that can help predict how the cancer will behave and which treatments are most likely to be effective.

The test is performed on a sample of tumor tissue from a biopsy or, in some cases, a blood test. The sample is analyzed in a laboratory to identify specific mutations or molecular changes that can be matched to available targeted therapy drugs. If no biomarkers are found or no drugs are available for those biomarkers, other cancer treatments are recommended.

What to Expect with Targeted Therapy

If a targeted therapy is part of the treatment plan, it can be used alone or in combination with other therapies, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation therapy. The way it is given depends on the specific drug and cancer type. Some therapies are taken orally, while others are given through an IV infusion.

Because targeted therapies affect cancer cells rather than healthy cells, side effects are often less intense. Patients may still experience some side effects, such as:

  • Skin rashes
  • Fatigue
  • High blood pressure (if not previously diagnosed)
  • Digestive issues

These will typically go away after treatment is complete.

Why Choose Blue Ridge Cancer Care for Cancer Care

At Blue Ridge Cancer Care, we use advanced diagnostic tools, including biomarker testing, to guide treatment decisions and ensure each patient receives the most effective therapy for their cancer. Our team develops personalized treatment plans based on the unique characteristics of each tumor.

Patients across Southwest Virginia—including Roanoke, Salem, Blacksburg, Wytheville, Bedford, Lexington, Pulaski, Rocky Mount, Princeton, and Fairlea—can access the latest targeted therapies without the challenges of traveling to a large hospital system. Our community-based cancer center offers convenient access, a more personal approach to care, and often lower treatment costs compared to hospital-based outpatient facilities.

With a focus on precision medicine and individualized treatment plans, Blue Ridge Cancer Care is committed to bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home.