Pancreatic cancer treatment with targeted therapy

Targeted therapy for pancreatic cancer blocks tumor growth by affecting specific molecules of malignant cells. As a result, targeted treatment makes it possible to eliminate the illness symptoms, prolong the patient's life and improve its quality. Before using targeted drugs, genetic studies of the tumor are performed. That makes choosing a drug that will give the maximum response to pancreatic cancer possible. Then, the oncologist advises the patient about treatment and tells him how to deal with side effects if they occur. Targeted drugs act differently than standard chemical ones. They find a specific target in the tumor cell – a mutation in the gene and the corresponding abnormal protein. When a target is detected, it is "attacked" and destroyed. The malignant pancreatic cell loses the ability to divide and grow. That is how targeted drugs fight cancer. The mechanism of therapy action specifically attacks cancer and does not harm healthy organs. That is critically important for patients who are already weakened by the disease. Most medications are injected intravenously. In this case, treatment is usually carried out in cycles. The patient is prescribed additional medications to minimize or eliminate targeted drugs' negative impact if necessary. Control examinations with imaging determine the effect of therapy.