TARGETED THERAPIES: ENLIGHTENING NEW AVENUES IN BREAST CANCER TREATMENT

Breast cancer is a formidable foe that affects countless lives around the world. However, in recent years, the development of targeted therapies has brought a ray of hope to patients battling this disease. These ground-breaking treatments offer more precise and personalized approaches to fighting breast cancer, revolutionizing the landscape of treatment options. For individuals facing this diagnosis, understanding the potential of targeted therapies is crucial to navigating their treatment journey. Let's explore the world of targeted therapies and their transformative impact on breast cancer patients.

Traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy are effective but often come with specific side effects. Targeted therapies, on the other hand, work by specifically targeting certain characteristics of cancer cells, which allows for more tailored and effective treatment. These therapies can be classified into different categories based on their specific targets, including hormone receptors, HER2 receptors, and genetic mutations.

Hormone receptor-positive breast cancer is one of the most common subtypes. Targeted therapies for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer aim to block the estrogen or progesterone receptors on cancer cells, preventing them from receiving hormonal signals that fuel their growth. Medications such as tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors have been developed and have shown remarkable success in reducing the risk of recurrence and improving survival rates.

Another targeted therapy approach focuses on HER2-positive breast cancer, where the HER2 protein is overexpressed. Drugs like trastuzumab and pertuzumab have been developed to specifically target the HER2 receptor, inhibiting its activity and halting the growth of cancer cells. These therapies have significantly improved outcomes for HER2-positive breast cancer patients, leading to increased survival rates and fewer disease recurrences.

Genetic mutations, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, can also play a role in breast cancer development. Targeted therapies known as PARP inhibitors have emerged as a promising option for individuals with BRCA mutations. These inhibitors block an enzyme that helps cancer cells repair DNA damage, leading to the death of cancer cells. PARP inhibitors have shown remarkable efficacy in treating BRCA-mutated breast cancer, providing an alternative treatment option for patients with this specific genetic profile.

The advent of targeted therapies has revolutionized breast cancer treatment, offering more effective and personalized approaches with fewer side effects. However, it is important to note that not all breast cancer patients are eligible for targeted therapies, as their suitability depends on various factors, including tumour characteristics and genetic profiles. A comprehensive evaluation by an oncologist is essential to determining the most appropriate treatment plan. Often, targeted therapies are used along with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, and a patient-specific treatment plan is generated in the multidisciplinary tumour board comprising medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists, apart from oncopathologists, radiologists, and nuclear medicine physicians.

In conclusion, targeted therapies have brought a renewed sense of hope to breast cancer patients. These therapies offer a more precise and personalized approach to treatment, targeting specific characteristics of cancer cells and yielding remarkable outcomes. While each patient's journey is unique, understanding the potential of targeted therapies empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their treatment and fosters optimism in the fight against breast cancer.