What should you know about oncogene targeted therapy?

An oncogene is a gene that has become overactive or altered in a way that can support cancer growth. A targeted medicine is selected when testing finds a change that the medicine can act on. The relevant alteration differs between cancers and between people; a treatment used for lung cancer may not be suitable for bowel cancer or leukaemia.

Testing may use tumour tissue, blood or another sample. A result can identify a treatment option, show that a particular drug is unlikely to help, or remain inconclusive because the sample does not contain enough useful material. Targeted therapy is distinct from chemotherapy, although a care plan may use more than one treatment type.

Ask which alteration was found, what the test can and cannot show, and whether a repeat sample is needed. Your team will review other medicines, allergies, organ function and previous treatment before choosing a drug. Take the medicine exactly as prescribed and keep monitoring appointments so response and side effects can be assessed.

Possible side effects depend on the medicine and may include skin changes, diarrhoea, tiredness, changes in blood pressure or effects on the liver, heart or lungs. Do not start a supplement or non-prescribed medicine without checking for interactions. Targeted therapy can be relevant in conditions such as lung cancer, bowel cancer, gastrointestinal stromal tumour and some leukaemias.

Contact your treatment team promptly for fever, severe diarrhoea or vomiting, a spreading rash, yellowing of the skin, unusual bleeding, marked breathlessness, chest pain, confusion or a sudden reduction in urine. Seek emergency help for severe breathing difficulty, fainting or sudden neurological symptoms. Do not wait for the next appointment if a symptom is rapidly worsening.

Which gene or protein is the treatment targeting? Was the result from tissue or blood, and could it change? How will we monitor benefit and side effects? What should I do if I miss a dose or develop a rash, diarrhoea or fever?