Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy is an immunotherapy cancer treatment that focuses on disrupting the processes that fuel cancer growth. These therapies are personalized to target the unique characteristics of each patient’s cancer by interfering with key biochemical pathways that the cancer uses to grow.

Cancer behaves differently in each person, so this treatment is tailored to each unique cancer type and patient. Our pathologists and medical oncologists work together to accurately determine the unique makeup of your cancer and provide you with a targeted cancer treatment that results in:

• Reduced damage to healthy cells
• Fewer side effects
• Enhanced treatment effectiveness
• Improved quality of life

Targeted therapy and immunotherapy are both innovative treatments commonly used to treat melanoma, and other cancer types, but they work in different ways. Immunotherapy works by boosting the body’s immune system, specifically T cells, to recognize and eliminate cancer cells, essentially training the immune system to address cancer cells it usually wouldn’t recognize. Targeted therapy involves understanding which genes in the cancer are broken. Once they are identified, doctors target powerful medicine directly to the damaged genes to stop the cancer cells from growing and spreading.

Targeted therapy is not recommended for all patients and all types of cancer. Your doctor may recommend targeted therapy depending on your unique genetic profile, symptoms, and medical history. You and your doctor will work together to identify the therapy or combination of therapies that will be most effective for your specific situation and cancer type.

Currently, targeted therapies may be used to treat:

• Breast cancer
• Brain cancer
• Colon cancer
• Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers
• Head and neck cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Leukemia
• Lung cancer
• Melanoma
• Mesothelioma
• Myeloma
• Prostate cancer
• Thyroid cancer

Targeted therapy can be given in different ways depending on the drug type. Small molecule drugs are usually taken orally, in pill or capsule form, enabling you to take them at home while you continue the activities of your daily life. Monoclonal antibodies are typically administered intravenously and may require visits to a doctor’s office or clinic.

The frequency and duration of your targeted therapy will depend on the type and stage of your cancer, the specific therapy used, and your body’s response to the treatment. You may receive treatment daily, weekly, or monthly, often in cycles that include breaks to allow your body time to recover.

Recovering after targeted therapy can vary from person to person, depending on your overall health, the type of cancer you have, the specific targeted therapy used, and your body’s response to the treatment. During recovery, you’ll have regular appointments with your care team. They’ll monitor your progress through physical exams, blood tests, and scans to determine how well the treatment is working and to manage any side effects.

Common side effects may include:

• Skin issues
• High blood pressure
• Bleeding problems
• Heart damage
• Slower wound healing

It’s important to communicate openly with your cancer team about any changes in your health, even if they seem minor. Your doctor may prescribe medications or recommend strategies to help manage side effects, or they may improve or resolve on their own once treatment ends. Always report new or worsening symptoms to your care team as soon as you notice them so they can intervene early and help minimize any potential complications.

Penn Medicine is a pioneer in developing innovative therapies that target cancer genes and harness the body’s immune system to treat cancer. Our researchers played a key role in the development of CAR T cell therapy, the first FDA-approved immunotherapy. This treatment has successfully helped hundreds of patients with various cancers.

We’ve continued advancing immunotherapies, including new targeted therapies for melanoma and lung cancer, providing hope to patients with limited treatment options. We combine our innovative targeted therapies with state-of-the-art technology and support services to provide our patients with a superior level of care that is difficult to find elsewhere. By choosing Penn Medicine, you can expect individualized care delivered by experienced cancer specialists who work together to help you achieve the best possible outcome.