Ovarian cancer treatment with targeted therapy

Targeted therapy is designed to block certain chains in the metabolic cycle of cancer cells and, as a result, interrupt the following development and growth of the tumor. Most often, targeted therapy influences certain substances that are crucial for tumors. For example, it might be specific proteins, enzymes, or even genes necessary for normal tumor functioning. Nowadays, in the case of ovarian cancer, targeted therapy often becomes a part of combined treatment with chemotherapy and surgery. Still, each year more oncologists use targeted therapy as a monotherapy. The main indication that allows using this approach as a single one is the presence of specific mutations in the tumor cells. Many medications are used for targeted ovarian cancer therapy, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors, multi-targeted anti-angiogenic agents, and PARP inhibitors. To choose the most effective targeted treatment, doctors must carefully examine all data regarding the particular case. Usually, targeted therapy delivers via intravenous infusions, but oral forms could also be prescribed in some cases. This treatment method usually takes little time; each procedure takes up to 2 hours. However, in most cases, patients required at least three courses of targeted treatment.