What does targeted therapy treat?

Cancer cells can contain changes in genes, proteins, or signalling pathways that help them grow. A targeted medicine is chosen to interfere with one of those features. Because the feature is not present in every tumour, a biopsy or other test may be needed before treatment is offered.

Targeted medicines are used in several cancers, including melanoma, multiple myeloma, myelofibrosis, myeloproliferative neoplasms, neuroendocrine tumours, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and some non-small-cell lung cancers. The available option depends on the tumour's molecular findings and on previous or planned treatments.

Ask whether your tumour has been tested for the feature the medicine is designed to target. Share every prescription, supplement, and over-the-counter medicine because targeted treatments can interact with other drugs. Keep a written record of doses and symptoms, and follow the schedule for blood tests or scans.

Some targeted medicines are tablets, while others are given through a vein or another route. Your team will explain how to take the medicine, what to do after a missed dose, and which side effects require a same-day call.

Call your treatment team about fever, a new rash that is spreading or blistering, severe diarrhoea, persistent vomiting, unusual bleeding, yellowing of the skin, or worsening breathlessness. Get urgent help for severe breathing difficulty, fainting, confusion, or swelling of the face or throat. Do not stop a cancer medicine without advice unless emergency staff tell you to do so.

What molecular feature is being targeted? How will we know whether the medicine is working? Which interactions matter with my current medicines? What monitoring will I need, and what symptom should prompt a same-day call? If this option stops working, what other treatments could be considered?