Colon cancer treatment with targeted therapy

Targeted therapy is widely used for the treatment of metastatic colon cancer. Antitumor drugs affect specific proteins, genes, or tissues involved in the growth and vital activity of the tumor. Colon cancer is treated with drugs of three types of action. The first ones stop the growth of new blood vessels feeding the tumor. Without blood flow, tumor cells begin to "starve" and slowly die. Drugs of the second type interfere with transmitting signals that cause tumor cells to grow and divide. Finally, the third type blocks signal to the "control center" of the cancer cell. The doctor prescribes treatment considering the molecular genetic analysis of the tumor, cancer spread, the effectiveness of previous treatment, concomitant diseases, etc. Thanks to the targeted action, drugs are safer than chemotherapy, and patients tolerate them better. However, they can also cause side effects; oncologists consider this when drawing up a therapy regimen. Most drugs for colon cancer treatment are injected intravenously as droppers. The therapy duration depends on the cancer stage, the type of drugs, and the patient's response to treatment. In the later stages, therapy is usually carried out as long as it is effective and does not cause serious side effects.