Targeted cancer therapy. Drugs targeted therapy

Cancer is a disease that can affect everyone. But! Do not be afraid and drop your hands, because medicine does not stand still. New developments and technologies for combating diseases appear every day, and the treatment of oncological diseases is at a worthy level.

The concept of "cancer"

Cancer is a process in which the body cells grow uncontrollably and divide, germinating into neighboring tissues and organs, giving metastases. The origin of the cancer at the moment has not been clarified. Provocative factors are: the action of carcinogenic substances, smoking, constant contact with harmful substances, chronic diseases that irritate the structure of a healthy cell, heredity, hormonal disorders, immunological disorders, degeneration of benign tumors. Cancer destroys chemotherapy, angiogenesis, targeted therapy and radiation. This is only part of the methods most commonly used in the treatment of patients.

Forms and stages of cancer

Morphologically, the following forms of cancer can be distinguished:

- cerebral-ulcerative or saucer-shaped;
- skirr;
- papillary cancer;
- infiltrative-ulcerative form;
- mushroom-like cancer;
Simple cancer.

The international classification distinguishes:

- adenocarcinoma;
- squamous cell carcinoma;
- undifferentiated cancer;
- glandular squamous cell carcinoma;
- unclassifiable cancer.

There is also a classification of the staging of tumors. The stages of cancer treatment depend on:

- Stage 1 - a tumor no more than 2 cm in diameter, does not germinate beyond the boundaries of the mucosa and does not give metastases.
- Stage 2 - the tumor has a size of 4 to 6 centimeters, can sprout into the submucosal or muscular layer, possibly the presence of single metastases.
- Stage 3 - the tumor captures already serous or sub-serous layers of tissues, sprouting into the proximal organs. There are multiple metastases in the lymph nodes. There are various complications.
- Stage 4 - the tumor reaches an impressive size and produces metastases that are significantly distant.

Clinical picture and main complaints

If we consider the clinical picture, then it is very diverse. Everything depends on the affected organ, stage, degree, general health of the patient, and also the level of lability in the treatment. Distinguish such periods of the disease and the corresponding symptoms:

1. Early or initial period. Patients complain of weakness, loss of appetite, rapid weight loss. When the tumor is located in the lungs: dry, unproductive cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, excessive sweating. If the problem is associated with the stomach: nausea, vomiting, belching, chronic gastric bleeding. The affected kidney gives blood in the urine, the symptoms of squeezing and squeezing of neighboring organs.
2. The period of apparent clinical manifestations of the disease. All symptoms worsen, the general condition of the patient worsens. Metastatic processes can begin.
3. The final period. The most critical and difficult for the patient. There is a breakdown of the structure of the cancerous tumor on one side and its active germination into neighboring organs on the other. There may develop purulent processes and massive bleeding. The nerves are affected, the loss of this or that function of the body occurs.

Diagnosis and diagnosis

Diagnosis and treatment of cancer tumors in our time are at a high level. Diagnose oncological diseases, based on the following items:
- data collection of anamnesis;
- clinical picture of the disease;
- instrumental diagnostics;
- results of laboratory studies.

Very often use the X-ray diagnostic method. The endoscopic method using biopsy is popular. For the diagnosis, specialists use echography and a computer tomogram. Scanning with the introduction of radioactive substances is also used. Especially complex and controversial cases are forced to conduct diagnostic laparotomy.

Methods of treatment and their effectiveness

Methods for treating cancer depend on many factors, such as the nature of the tumor, its location, the general condition of the patient, the absence or presence of complications. The most common and effective method of treatment is considered to be surgical. It allows to remove the entire conglomerate of tumor cells, if its localization allows it to be done. Remove not only the tumor itself, but also nearby tissues. With this method of treatment, another concept is connected - palliative care. When a patient can in fact not be helped to completely heal, but you can reduce the size of the tumor and reduce the level of pain.

The second most popular and effective is radiation therapy. This is a therapy that destroys the cancerous structure under the action of the rays. In addition, there are a number of tumors that are particularly sensitive to this type of treatment. For example, liposarcoma and its metastases. Radiation therapy is used in combination with chemotherapy and surgery. It is often used after only surgical intervention to eliminate possible metastases.

Chemotherapy

The treatment of cancer with the help of medications - both alone and in combination with other methods - is also very common. Chemotherapy with the help of specific toxins adversely affects the cancer cell, contributes to its rapid destruction. Distinguish between cytotoxic (cell destruction) and cytostatic (stopping its growth) chemotherapy. It is accepted to use not one kind of preparations of an oncological profile, but to combine them into specific "medical cocktails". This increases the chances of successful destruction of cancer agents. Drugs can be injected intravenously, and tablet forms are less commonly used. In special cases, chemotherapy products are injected intrathecally (into the cerebrospinal fluid) or directly under the skin. Everything depends on each case of the disease.

The positive and negative aspects of chemotherapy

Many patients are afraid of a procedure called "chemotherapy." Testimonials suggest that this is due to a large number of problems and complications arising at the time of treatment.

Since the healthy cells actually suffer in the whole body, patients face a number of problems:

- hair loss;
- the composition of the blood changes;
- problems with the intestines;
- defeat of mucous membranes;
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- liver function suffers, which is forced to process all toxins and chemical waste;
- a similar picture occurs with the kidneys;
- Immunity decreases sharply and so on.

We note the positive aspects of such a procedure as chemotherapy. Feedback from patients who have been treated with this method, make it clear that it is worthwhile enduring the negative effect for the sake of recovery. Complete cure or a significant reduction in the tumor - these are the results by which you can be satisfied.

Targeted cancer therapy: a step towards health

More recently, a new method of drug treatment of cancerous tumors has appeared. This is targeted therapy. This is the newest unique development, designed to combat cancer. A characteristic difference between targeted therapy and other major types of treatment is its absolute safety in relation to healthy cells of the body. In addition, this therapy provides the fastest destruction of harmful cells. Due to the long study and awareness of the processes of formation and life activity of cancer tumors, drugs have been developed that act specifically on the growth centers of the cell. Again, targeted therapy is both an independent type of treatment, and additional to other medical measures.

Unfortunately, and such an innovative method of fighting cancer has a number of inconveniences for patients. Although it does not work on the principle of classical chemotherapy, these substances are also carried by the blood flow through the body. On the one hand, this ensures their effectiveness in the fight against distant metastases. On the other hand, the concentration in the right places decreases. Most often preparations of this kind are tableted, which allows the patient to stay at home and continue successful treatment. Consider the effect of targeted therapy in the case of certain types of cancer.

The way in which cancer is defeated

If we consider the nature of the appearance of cancer, the cause here is the mutation of the VHL gene. The mutation causes an increased isolation of the protein, which promotes the growth of the cancer cell. Drugs should block the growth and further development of the tumor. The most popular and currently used drugs: Votrient, Nexavar (Sorafenib), Sutent, Bevacizumab (Avastin), Everolimus (Atfinator), Aksinitib (Inlita "). They are used even in the last stages of treatment. Unfortunately, you need to be prepared for the appearance of such negative manifestations as high blood pressure, diarrhea or increased sensitivity in the extremities. Let's consider in more detail the preparations of targeted therapy.

• The drug "Sorafenib" ("Nexavar") - effectively slows the growth of cancer conglomerates. It blocks angiogenesis and works on the utilization of growth molecules. Produced in the form of tablets. You can face side effects: rash, diarrhea, hypertension, swelling and fatigue.
• The agent "Bevacizumab" ("Avastin") - is administered by an intravenous route. It can slow the growth of blood vessels of a new order. Often combined with interferon-alpha. This enhances the quality of treatment. Very well tolerated by patients, minor hypertension and blood clots are possible.
• The drug "Everolimus" ("The Athlete") - successfully blocks the protein mTOR. It is taken once a day in tablet form. They are used to fight cancer at the most extreme stages of treatment. Unfortunately, there are many side effects.
• The drug "Temsirolimus" ("Torisel") - the patient receives by intravenous injections. Similar to their actions and complications with the previous remedy.
• The drug "Sunitinib" ("Sutent") - effectively blocks the activity of some tyrosine kinases. Less pronounced side effects, but the positive result of treatment is slightly lower than with the use of other drugs.

Positive reviews

Target therapy with the use of these drugs has already benefited many oncologists. Reviews are the most positive. Patients claim that a decrease in the severity of symptoms was observed virtually immediately. The state of health improved, with the side effects practically not disturbed throughout the treatment period. Many people focus on the method of treatment remotely from the hospital - it is convenient and physically, and it is morally easier for the patient to endure the difficulties of the illness at home than in the hospital ward. Since most drugs are in the form of tablets, this is also noted by patients as convenience. Many are happy about the possibility of avoiding pain and discomfort.

Target therapy and kidney cancer

In our time, diseases of the cancerous profile affecting the genitourinary system can be found in every fourth. Cancer is a very serious disease, aggressive, attacking the human body. Rapidly evolving, and the impact on the body is noticeable from the first months of the development of the disease. Cancer treatment in these patients is carried out under the supervision of an oncologist-urologist. There is a typical picture of the disease: blood in the urine, impaired function of the body, discomfort and pain in the kidney area. Many patients to date have benefited from targeted therapy drugs. To understand how successful the result of treatment can be, it is necessary to understand the mechanism of the work of these funds.

Principle of action: tumor growth depends on the amount of nutrients and the presence of oxygen. This is especially true for cancer-affected kidneys. Drugs targeting therapy are only looking for malignant cells and act on the molecular mechanisms by which the "bad" cell is divided, suppressing tumor growth and destroying it. Target therapy for kidney cancer has the following advantages:

- no need to hospitalize the patient;
- drugs can be used to treat older people;
- the drug stops the division of cells and the growth of the tumor itself;
- with the appearance of side effects, it is enough simply to reduce the number of medications used.

Therapy for lung cancer

Another important problem in the world of domestic oncology is lung cancer. Harmful chemicals in production, smoking, carcinogens and chronic diseases promote the wide spread of cancer cells in the structure of lung tissue.

Targeted therapy for lung cancer is the basic and most popular treatment. Drugs that successfully affect lung cancer are tyrosine kinase inhibitors EGFR, namely Erlotinib and Gefitinib. And also it is worth mentioning about monoclonal antibodies against EGFR - preparations "Ceruksimab" and "Panitumumab". The minimum of discomfot and very fast effect is the main essence of reviews about treatment.

Stomach cancer

Gastric cancer refers to diseases with extremely unfavorable course and outcome. The disease usually progresses very quickly. The patient experiences painful sensations and a lot of inconvenience.

Increasingly, our domestic specialists began to resort to such a method of treatment, as targeted therapy for stomach cancer. The most successful drug can be called "Imatinib" ("Glivec"), used for tumor conglomerates of the gastrointestinal tract. Here we also refer to the drug "Rituximab", which is especially effective in case of stomach cancer, and in case of occurrence of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. And also the drug "Herceptin", which also affects breast cancer.

Targeted cancer therapy is a unique innovation. This is another chance for mankind to defeat what seems to be a death sentence at the moment - oncological diseases.