Fact 8: Advances in Targeted Therapies
Targeted therapies have revolutionized the FL treatment landscape. Traditional treatments often had a wider focus, affecting healthy and cancerous cells alike. In contrast, targeted therapies have laser-like precision, aiming specifically at cancer cells, leaving healthy cells relatively untouched. This specificity often translates to fewer side effects and a more effective treatment.
Monoclonal antibodies stand as a shining testament to the promise of targeted therapies. Laboratory-created, these molecules specifically target certain parts of cancer cells. Rituximab, for instance, has become an FL treatment stalwart, targeting the CD20 protein on B cells, which includes the rogue malignant cells.
Fusing the precision of monoclonal antibodies with the potency of radiation has given birth to radioimmunotherapy. This approach directs radiation straight to the cancer cells, enhancing the treatment’s efficacy while minimizing radiation’s broader impacts. (8)
