Importance of Targeted Therapies in Cancer

Traditional approaches to cancer treatment affect both normal cells and cancer cells, often resulting in serious unwanted effects. Today, new tools from the molecular biology revolution allow scientists to better understand fine differences between cancerous and normal cells, allowing for the development of highly selective drug therapies that have less effect on normal cells.

Before the molecular era, the outlook for patients with CML was particularly bleak. The only curative cancer treatment, allogeneic stem cell transplantation, was limited by age restrictions, high toxicity and the low probability of finding a matched donor.  Available drug treatment options promised only limited efficacy and were often associated with difficult side effects.

Targeted therapies are designed to inhibit the growth of malignant cells while having a limited effect on healthy tissue, usually without the distressing hair loss, sickness, and weakened immune system that accompany conventional cancer therapies. By targeting the molecular causes of CML, targeted pharmacological management provides effective reduction of leukemic effects while being generally well-tolerated.¹

Reference

1. Baccarani M, Saglio G, Goldman J, et al. Evolving concepts in the management of chronic myeloid leukemia: recommendations from an expert panel on behalf of the European LeukemiaNet. Blood. 2006;108(6):1809-1820. [p 1809, col 2, lines 2-3]