This document discusses targeted cancer therapy, which aims to interfere with specific molecular targets involved in carcinogenesis and tumor growth. It describes various types of targeted therapies, including hormonal therapy, signal transduction inhibitors like tyrosine kinase inhibitors, gene expression modulators, apoptosis inducers, angiogenesis inhibitors, and immunotherapies. While offering benefits over chemotherapy, targeted therapies also face challenges such as drug resistance and high costs. Researchers continue developing new targeted drugs and methods to improve cancer treatment.

1. TARGETED THERAPY
Presented by: Dr.Sushma sathya
Moderated by: Dr.Vandana

2. Introduction
• A targeted therapy is defined as process of attacking a
biologically important process central to a hallmark of cancer or
disease.
(i) Some block the action of certain enzymes, proteins or other
molecules involved in growth of cancer cells
(ii) some types help the immune system to kill cancer cells; and
(iii) most targeted drugs are small-molecule drugs or monoclonal
antibodies.
• Blocks the growth of cancer cells by interfering with specific
targeted molecules.

3. • Targeted therapies act on specific molecular targets, were designed
to interact with their target, and are often cytostatic (block
proliferation), while standard conventional chemotherapy is
designed to kill rapidly dividing tumor cells, may also affect dividing
normal cells, and is cytotoxic (kill tumor cells).
• Unlike traditional chemotherapy, which kills both cancer cells and
healthy cells, targeted therapy drugs are designed to attack specific
molecules that are involved in cancer cell growth and survival
• Interfere with specific targeted molecules needed for
carcinogenesis and tumour growth rather than interfering with all
rapidly dividing cells

4. Targeted therapy in cancer cells is based on the inhibition of crucial
enzymes/pathways in a cancer cell, for which two definitions can be
formulated:
• Firstly, high activity of a pathway indicates that it may be essential
“to drive the tumor” and its inhibition stops growth of (or
sometimes kills) the cancer cell.
• Secondly, a low activity indicates that the activity may be rate-
limiting and essential [according to Weber a ‘key’ enzyme] for
growth, and therefore its inhibition may kill the cancer cell . In this
case, the enzyme may be considered as the “engine”.

5. A Paradigm
Shift

6. Types of targeted therapies
1. Hormonal
2. Signal-transduction inhibitors (e.g. TKIs)
3. Gene-expression modulators
4. Apoptosis inducers
5. Angiogenesis inhibitors
6. Immunotherapies
7. Toxin-delivery molecules (targeted chemotherapy)
8. Gene therapy

7. Growth factor and
growth factor
receptor Inhibitors

11. Signal-transduction inhibitors (e.g. TKIs)

13. The following four TKI drugs are approved as first-line treatment for
chronic phase CML:
• Imatinib mesylate (Gleevec®)
• Dasatinib (Sprycel®)
• Nilotinib (Tasigna®)
• Bosutinib (Bosulif®)
The following TKIs are approved
for the treatment of patients who
have received 2 or more TKIs or
who have the T315I mutation:
• Asciminib (Scemblix®)
• Ponatinib (Iclusig®)

14. Gene-expression modulators

17. Cell cycle regulators

18. The role of RB in
regulating the G1-S
checkpoint of the cell
cycle.

19. The role of p53
in maintaining
the integrity of
the genome.

21. Apoptosis
Inducers

23. Hormonal therapy
The structures of HER2
ECD and its complex with
Pertuzumab and
Trastuzumab fragment

24. Gene therapy

26. Ploting of genetic
alterations in a lung
cancer paient

27. AND MORE…..

31. Targeted
therapy in
Diabetes
Mellitus

32. Targeted therapy
in Dermatology

33. DRUGS IN TARGETED THERAPY

37. Challenges of targeted therapy
Targeted therapy also has some challenges, including:
• Resistance: Cancer cells can develop resistance to targeted therapy
drugs over time.
• This means that the cancer cells can become resistant to the drug
and continue to grow and spread.
• Cost: Targeted therapy drugs can be very expensive.
• Limited availability: Some targeted therapy drugs are only available
for certain types of cancer.

38. Future of targeted therapy
• Researchers are constantly developing new targeted therapy drugs
and new ways to use targeted therapy drugs to treat cancer.
• Targeted therapy is a rapidly evolving field, and it is likely to play an
increasingly important role in cancer treatment in the future.

39. Conclusion
• Targeted therapy is a promising new approach to cancer treatment.
• It offers several benefits over traditional chemotherapy, including
more targeted killing of cancer cells, fewer side effects, and
improved survival rates.
• However, targeted therapy also has some challenges, such as
resistance, cost, and limited availability.
• Researchers are constantly developing new targeted therapy drugs
and new ways to use targeted therapy drugs to treat cancer.
• Targeted therapy is a rapidly evolving field, and it is likely to play an
increasingly important role in cancer treatment in the future.

41. References
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