There are 2 main types of targeted therapy drugs:
- Monoclonal Antibodies: These generally work by blocking a specific target on the outside or surface of cancer cells, thereby killing the cell or prohibiting cell division or growth. Some monoclonal antibodies have radioactive material attached to them in order to enhance their effectiveness in destroying the cancer cells. Monoclonal antibodies are usually administered intravenously.
- Small Molecules: Drugs called “small-molecule drugs” can penetrate the cell membrane to interact with targets both inside and on the surface of cancer cells. Small molecule drugs for targeted therapy are usually taken orally.
The mechanism of action for the drugs will vary depending on the growth process of the specific cancer cells targeted.
靶向治疗药物有两种，包括：
- 单克隆抗体药物 通常针对的是细胞外部或表面的靶点，破坏癌细胞，或抑制癌细胞的生长和分裂。有时也会将放射性物质与单克隆抗体药物相结合，以更好地破坏癌细胞。单克隆抗体药物通常是以注射剂的形式出现。
- 小分子靶向药物， 是一种可以穿透细胞膜的小分子药物，它可以针对性地破坏癌细胞内部及表面的靶点，小分子靶向药物通常为口服类药物。
靶向治疗疗效产生的机制将取决于不同癌细胞的不同生长阶段。
靶向治疗的目的
癌症的靶向治疗无论是单纯靶向治疗还是与化疗或放疗同时进行，治疗的目的取决于癌症的种类和阶段：
- 完全治愈癌症。
- 抑制癌细胞的生长。
- 破坏可能扩散的癌细胞。
- 缓解由癌症引起的各种病症。