Targeted therapies

Targeted therapies are treatments that seek and attack specific parts of cancer cells. They work by helping to slow the growth and spread of these cells. There are many different types of targeted therapy and they all work differently. They can be used to:

• Reduce the blood supply to tumours making them shrink
• Block the growth of cancer cells
• Carry chemotherapy straight to a cancer cell
• Block the ability of cancer cells to repair themselves
• Kill cancer cells
• Starve cancer cells of hormones they need to grow

Your cancer cells will be tested to decide if targeted therapies will be suitable for you.  If recommended, they can either be used on their own or in combination with other treatments.

How you take targeted therapies will depend on the drug that has been prescribed by your doctor. Some are taken by mouth (orally), whilst others are given as an injection. If you need an injection, this will be given by a nurse.

Targeted therapies are designed to specifically attack cancer cells therefore traditional side-effects associated with chemotherapy are less likely. However, before starting treatment your team will explain what side-effects you may experience and how these can be managed.