Targeted cancer therapy drugs and the effect they can have on the body

Targeted cancer therapy drugs, their side-effects, & how to treat them

Targeted therapy drugs are designed to have milder, lighter side-effects, compared to standard chemotherapy drugs. Nevertheless, they can still cause side-effects. Targeted therapy drugs come in a variety of types, and the side effects from these drugs depend largely on the type and the location of the cancer.

Targeted therapy is also called molecularly targeted therapy. There are different types of targeted therapy drugs. They each work differently depending on what molecule the drug is targeting. Treatment is selected based on the types of molecules created by a person’s cancer. Some targeted therapy drugs target specific proteins in cancer cells that aren’t found in normal cells. Other targeted therapy drugs target mutated proteins or mutated genes in cancer cells.

This allows the doctors to create a precise, custom therapy for each patient, according to their specific needs.

The Types Of Targeted Therapy Drugs

Targeted therapy comes in two main types:

Monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies are versions of immune system proteins, called antibodies, but made artificially in a lab.  Monoclonal antibodies work by blocking a target on the outside of a cancer cell. The target is most often another type of protein. Monoclonal antibodies do this by attaching themselves to proteins or genes on the surface of cells. Monoclonal antibodies are large so they don’t enter cells that easily. This disrupts that protein from functioning, which leads to cancer cells death. Monoclonal antibodies can also deliver toxic substances directly to cancer cells. Usually, monoclonal antibodies are administered intravenously (IV).

Small-molecule drugs

Small-molecule drugs is a shared name for many of the other types of targeted therapy drugs that are not monoclonal antibodies. The molecules in these drugs are smaller than antibodies so they can pass through the cells easily. They attach to proteins that are inside the cells and block their actions.

Small-molecule drugs can block the process that helps cancer cells multiply and spread. Angiogenesis inhibitors are an example of this type of targeted therapy. These drugs keep the tissue around the tumor from making blood vessels, thus starving the tumor, blocking it from receiving nutrients. These drugs are usually taken as pills.

How do targeted therapy drugs work?

Targeted therapy drugs work by targeting specific genes or proteins to help stop cancer from growing and spreading. These genes and proteins are found in cancer cells or in cells related to cancer growth, like blood vessel cells. Targeted therapy recognizes the specific molecules that send signals to cancer cells telling them to grow or divide. By targeting these molecules, the drugs block their signals and stop the growth and spread of cancer cells while harming normal cells as little as possible. Targeted therapy works only if a cancer cell holds the gene or protein target that the drug is designed to identify and block.

What are the side-effects?

Not all cancer patients suffer from the same types of side-effects, and when side-effects occur, the seriousness and severity of the side-effects can vary greatly from a person to person. It depends on cancer patient’s overall health and what kind of drugs they are being treated with. Cancer patients are advised to talk to their Oncologist and learn which side-effects are most likely to happen with the specific treatment they’ve received.

In addition, it’s important for cancer patients to know what to expect in terms of the longevity of side-effects to targeted therapy drugs. But, although side-effects can be unpleasant and uncomfortable, they should always be measured up against the bigger and more urgent issue, the fight against cancer.

Many of targeted therapy drugs cause a number of skin conditions such as skin dryness and rashes.These changes usually take time to develop, sometimes even weeks after treatment.

Common Side Effects

Changes to skin texture

“In my experience as an Oncologist, working with cancer patients for over twenty years, the most common complaint of cancer patients is changes to their skin,” states Dr. Shyamali Singhal, MD. Many cancer patients suffer with rough and flakey skin which many compare to getting sunburned. In some cases, changes to the skin may not be physically apparent, but the sunburned-like sensation can still be bothersome. The skin can also feel dry and coarse, which can cause a huge source of discomfort. For this problem, Dr. Singhal recommends using skin care products, such as, Chemo Companion’s Silk Coat Balm to help soothe coarse and sunburned-like skin.

Photosensitivity

Photosensitivity, also referred to as sun allergy, is a skin condition in which the skin is overly sensitive to exposure to sunlight. The skin becomes very susceptible to receive damage by UV rays. It may easily burn and blister, even after brief sun exposure or exposure to indirect sunlight.

To ease the symptoms of photosensitivity, Dr. Singhal provides her patients with Chemo Companion’s Hydrator Plus SPF 30 , a product awarded with the Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation. This dual nourishing moisturizer and sunscreen offers both hydration and broad spectrum UV protection.

Rashes And Itches

Rashes are the most common side-effects of targeted therapy drugs.  The risk of getting a rash and its severity depends on the type and dose of the targeted drug that’s been prescribed as therapy. For most cancer patient’s rashes tend to be mild and heal without treatment. In severe cases, rashes can spread to major parts of the body. To minimize uncomfortable itching and skin redness, Dr. Singhal suggests using Chemo Companion’s Dual Action Relief for skin redness and CliniCam for itchy skin. These products can be used along with any medicated lotion if prescribed.

Other, side-effects of targeted therapy drugs are:

• High blood pressure

• Bleeding or blood clotting problems

• Slow wound healing

• Heart damage

• Autoimmune reactions

Keep Track Of The Symptoms

Target therapy drugs can cause many side effects can and should be treated as early as possible. There are a number of ways to ease the exhausting symptoms. It’s important to keep track on any observed changes to the body and treat any problem as soon as it appears.