This is a type of drug treatment that attacks specific features of cancer cells, known as molecular targets, to stop the cancer growing and spreading. The molecular targets are found in or on the surface of cancer cells (for example, they may be genes or proteins). Lung cancer treatment that kills cancer cells also can affect normal cells, causing unwanted side effects. New lung cancer drugs called targeted therapies help reduce damage to healthy cells. They focus on cancer cells by interrupting their growth and how they function. 

When is targeted therapy used?

Targeted therapy can often be given by mouth as tablets or capsules. These drugs can be highly effective, but they will only work if the cancer contains the particular gene or protein and, even then, they do not work for everyone. Ask your oncologist about molecular testing and whether targeted therapy is an option for you.

Targeted therapy is currently available for people with NSCLC whose tumours have specific genetic changes (mutations) when the cancer is advanced or has come back after initial surgery or radiation therapy. This area of science is changing rapidly, and it’s likely that new mutations and targeted therapy drugs will continue to be discovered. Talk to your oncologist about clinical trials.

Cancer cells often become resistant to targeted therapy drugs over time. If the first-line treatment stops working, your oncologist may suggest trying another targeted therapy drug or another systemic treatment. This is known as second-line treatment.

Targeting Biomarkers

Targeted therapy is commonly talked about as a treatment for patients who have certain abnormalities in their tumors that can be found through biomarker testing. Biomarker testing looks for changes in the tumor's DNA. These changes can be mutations, additions, deletions or rearrangements in the DNA. Some lung cancer treatments can "target" these changes directly. These lung cancer treatments often cause fewer side effects because they focus on targeting what is exactly wrong with the cancer cell, instead of killing normal, healthy cells too. These therapies attack specific targets on or in the tumor cells. Not every person is eligible for targeted therapies for lung cancer. Your doctor might order a special test of your tumor called molecular testing or biomarker testing. Talk to your doctor about your testing options and treatment recommendations. Targeted therapy drugs work in different ways to chemotherapy.

There are currently FDA-approved targeted therapies for lung cancer tumors showing characteristics of abnormalities in EGFR, ALK, ROS-1, NTRK, MET, RET and BRAF V600E. If you do not test positive a biomarker with an approved targeted therapy, traditional chemotherapy, immunotherapy or a combination of the two may be recommended. Surgery or radiation may also be recommended. It may also be appropriate to enroll in a clinical trial looking at treatments for a number of other markers.

Side effects of targeted therapy

Although targeted therapy may cause less harm to healthy cells, it can still have side effects. These vary depending on the targeted therapy drugs used – common side effects include:

• skin changes such as acne-like rash
• tiredness
• diarrhoea
• nausea
• vomiting.

It’s important to report any new or worsening side effects to your medical team. If left untreated, some side effects can become serious and may even be life-threatening.

Journal of Cancer Research and Immuno-Oncology is an open access rapid peer reviewed journal in the field of cancer research. Journal announces papers for the upcoming issue. Interested can submit their manuscript through online portal.

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