Targeted cancer therapies: the future of cancer treatment

Acta Biomed. 2012 Dec;83(3):220-33.

Abstract

For decades, the hallmark of medical treatment for cancer has been intravenous cytotoxic chemotherapy, where these drugs target rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells and certain normal tissues. As a result, many patients experience the classic toxicities of alopecia, gastrointestinal symptoms, and myelosuppression. In the past decade, however, a dramatic shift has been witnesses in the cancer therapy. Although traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy still remains the treatment of choice for many malignancies, targeted therapies are now a component of treatment for many types of cancer, including breast, colorectal, lung, and pancreatic cancers, as well as lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Cancer Vaccines
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / pharmacology
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy / trends*
  • Nanotechnology
  • Neoplasms / etiology
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Phytotherapy

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cancer Vaccines
  • Immunologic Factors