Targeted therapies are treatments that work by interfering with specific molecules that are involved with the growth and spread of cancer. These molecules are closely associated with cancer cells.
In order to understand how targeted therapies work, it is important to understand that cancer cells are different from normal cells, because they divide and grow much faster than normal cells. These treatments work by targeting certain features of the cancer cells that help them grow in an uncontrolled manner.
Blocking the formation of new blood vessels for cancer cells
Stimulating the immune system to destroy cancer cells
Inhibit proteins on or inside cancer cells that normally stimulate cancer growth
Inhibiting or halting the cancer's cell cycle
Delivering toxic substances in order to destroy cancer cells
In metastatic breast cancer , different treatments can be used to target the different subtypes of breast cancer. The following shows what targeted treatments can be used for each subtype of metastatic breast cancer.
For more information on the subtypes of breast cancer, click here
There are many different treatment options for HR-/HER2 metastatic breast cancer . Each targeted therapy works in a different way, but they all work to prevent the growth and division of cancer cells.
| Type of treatment | Action |
| Immunotherapy | Some immunotherapies work by inhibiting a protein that helps blood vessels around cancer cells to grow. The blood supply is needed to provide oxygen for the cancer to grow, so without it, the cancer cells can’t survive. Some other immunotherapies work by binding to a protein on cancer cells and causing an immune response by your own immune system. |
| PARP inhibitors | Prevent the repair of damaged DNA, so prevent cancer cells repairing themselves. |
The targeted treatments that are most suitable for you will depend on many factors, including whether you have received previous treatments for an early stage of breast cancer. Your doctor will discuss what treatment options are available for you.
Immunotherapies are given intravenously at the hospital; this means the drug is given directly into your vein .
Immunotherapy is given in cycles of treatment. The number of cycles you receive, and the length of time in between cycles, will vary dependant on the type of treatment. Your doctor will discuss this with you.
PARP inhibitors are taken orally as a tablet or a capsule. These treatments are given continuously (e.g. you will take a tablet every day). Your doctor will discuss with you how your treatment should be taken and the length of time you may be on the treatment for.
Some targeted therapies are given in combination with another treatment such as chemotherapy . Your doctor will discuss what combination of treatments might be suitable for you.
Some immunotherapies can only be used for women or men with advanced breast cancer who express a protein called PD-L1 on their cancer cells.
PARP inhibitors can only be used for women or men with advanced breast cancer who have a fault in one of their BRCA genes .
Targeted therapies can cause side effects. These will vary from person to person and will depend on the specific treatment. Talk to your doctor about the potential side effects of the treatments and what may be the best option for you.
Click here to learn more about the side effects of targeted therapy
PP-UNP-IRL-0796. Date of preparation: July 2024