What is targeted therapy in cancer treatment?

Targeted therapy in cancer treatment refers specifically to interventions that focus on the molecular and cellular mechanisms driving the growth and proliferation of cancer cells. This therapeutic approach is designed to target specific proteins, genes, or other molecules that are involved in the tumor's development and progression, making it a more precise and often less detrimental option compared to traditional chemotherapy.

The effectiveness of targeted therapy comes from its ability to directly disrupt the cancer cells' growth signals and pathways, sparing normal, healthy cells and thereby typically resulting in fewer side effects. Targeted therapies can block the action of these specific molecules or may mark the cancer cells for destruction by the immune system. This strategic focus is what distinguishes targeted therapy from other treatment modalities, such as chemotherapy, which generally affects both cancerous and healthy cells and can lead to a range of side effects.

In contrast, the other choices present either inaccurate or unrelated concepts. Claiming that targeted therapies are less effective than traditional chemotherapy does not reflect the nuanced view of treatment effectiveness in oncology, as the choice of therapy is often based on the specific characteristics of the cancer being treated. Saying that these treatments focus on enhancing patient nutrition is misleading, as nutritional support may be part of care but is not an aspect of targeted therapy itself. Finally,