6. Targeted Therapy – The Specialized Assault on Cancer
Targeted therapy employs the use of specialized drugs that focus on specific attributes of cancer cells to halt their growth and spread. This method has become increasingly relevant in treating advanced or recurrent thyroid cancers that are no longer responsive to conventional therapies.
The nature of targeted drugs allows them to zero in on specific molecules and cellular mechanisms responsible for cancer growth and progression. By doing so, they are able to block these processes and effectively stall the advance of the cancer. Some targeted therapies used in thyroid cancer include tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), such as sorafenib and lenvatinib.
TKIs work by blocking the action of enzymes called tyrosine kinases in cancer cells, disrupting critical pathways that promote cell growth and division. By disrupting these pathways, TKIs help slow the growth of cancer and can even cause cancer cells to die.
While targeted therapy is typically better tolerated than traditional chemotherapy, it still has potential side effects. These may include diarrhea, high blood pressure, fatigue, and skin rash among others. However, with careful management, these side effects can be controlled while patients reap the benefits of this highly specialized treatment. (6)
