A targeted therapy is a drug that pinpoints specific abnormal molecules within the cancer cells to slow or stop the growth of these cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The most commonly used targeted therapy is HER2 inhibitor therapy. Other targets are beginning to be found and are increasingly being used, especially to reduce the risk of recurrence or to treat metastatic cancer that no longer responds to other conventional treatments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many targeted drugs are being investigated to improve breast cancer treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Therapies targeting the\u00a0HER2 gene\u00a0inhibit this receptor and block its ability to proliferate. They are used to destroy tumours with strong HER2 gene expression in order to slow or stop the cancer\u2019s progression. This treatment is often administered after surgery and radiation therapy to prevent the risk of recurrence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The side effects are usually less severe than for other treatments, since targeted therapies only affect the cancer cells. Side effects of hormonal therapy include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Trastuzumab is one such agent. Sometimes this drug may cause heart damage, especially when given in combination with Doxorubicin, a chemotherapeutic agent. Cardiac tests may therefore be recommended before taking Trastuzumab to ensure this treatment will be safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some of the available agents in this therapeutic class:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Research continues to improve HER2-targeting therapy. For example, resistance to Trastuzumab is often observed after one year of use. Treatments to counter this are currently being developed. Also, studies are underway on Pertuzumab and Trastuzumab Emantansin to test their effectiveness in treating early breast cancer and their effect when given in combination with other treatments. New antibodies under investigation (such as Margetuximab) <\/p>\n\n\n\n Several cellular pathways are involved in the progression of breast cancer. Acting on these pathways may slow or stop the progression of the cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The targeted therapies, other than HER2 inhibitors, are: (liens vers tableaux)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Studies are underway on the use of these drugs for different types and stages of breast cancer. Several drug molecules targeting these pathways are being developed and the efficacy of combinations of different strategies is also being studied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Targeted therapies under investigation include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tyrosine kinase is an enzyme activated by receptors in the EGFR family. Tumours with HER2 overexpression have high tyrosine kinase activity. Inhibiting this enzyme can inactivate the HER2 pathway and slow the cancer\u2019s progression. Lapatinib and Neratinib are two agents belonging to this targeted-therapy class.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n \n\n\n CDK4 and CDK6 are enzymes involved in the cell cycle and proliferation. Cyclin D1 and CDK4 are overexpressed in 29% and 14% of breast cancers, respectively. This is a promising treatment option for hormone-resistant tumours, since cells need CDK4 and CDK6 to proliferate. Palbociclib (approved for advanced HER2-negative cancers), Ribociclib (also approved for advanced HER2-negative cancers) and Abemaciclib (under study) are in this class of targeted-therapy agents.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n \n\n\n PI3K-Akt-mTor are enzymes of a cell-signalling pathway that are activated by receptors in the EGFR family and are involved in cell growth and proliferation. The PI3K-Akt-mTor pathway is overactivated in approximately 70% of breast cancers (enzyme mutations), and sustained activation of this pathway can lead to resistance to treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n \n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Learn more about precision medecine by viewing our educational capsule titled Personalized medecine or precision medecine.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n \n Her2-targeted <\/span>\n \n therapies <\/h2> <\/section>\n\n<\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n\n\n\n
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\n Other <\/span>\n \n targeted therapies <\/h2> <\/section>\n\n<\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n\n\n\n
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Tyrosine kinase inhibitors<\/h4>\n \n\n
Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK4 and CDK6) inhibitors<\/h4>\n \n\n
PI3K-Akt-mTor inhibitors<\/h4>\n \n\n