Vol 37, (1/2) 45–49
Beyond chemotherapy - Demystifying the new ‘targeted’ cancer treatments
Rachel Dear MBBS(Hons), is a medical oncology advanced trainee, Medical Oncology, Westmead and Nepean Hospitals, New South Wales.
Nicholas Wilcken MBBS, FRACP, PhD, is a medical oncologist, Medical Oncology, Westmead and Nepean Hospitals, New South Wales.
Jenny Shannon MBBS, FRACP, PhD, is a medical oncologist, Medical Oncology, Westmead and Nepean Hospitals, New South Wales.
It has been known for some time that key genetic changes are the principle mechanism of cancer development. These changes lead to abnormalities in the signalling pathways of cells and result in unregulated cell growth, angiogenesis and metastasis.
Until recently, cancer treatments, ie. surgery, radiotherapy and cytotoxic chemotherapy, although effective, have been relatively nonspecific in their actions. It has long been hoped that an understanding of the molecular basis of cancer would lead to more specific (‘targeted’) therapies. As a result of decades of research, new therapies are now becoming available.
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Beyond chemotherapy - Demystifying the new ‘targeted’ cancer treatments (319KB)
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