Limitations of molecularly targeted therapy

Abstract

Personalized medicine is an extension of traditional medicine is based on a highly individual approach to each patient. One of the most important tools that allow this approach is targeted therapy. It focuses mainly on blocking cancer cell’s proliferation and angiogenesis capabilities by interfacing with specific molecules that are involved in the growth and progression of the tumour. Small-molecule inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies are the main drugs that are currently in use in order to affect the specific biochemical pathways in cancer cells. However, likewise any other cancer therapies, targeted therapy has its own limitations. For instance, identifying a molecular target needed to begin treatment is one of those hardships. A specific molecule is crucial in this way of treatment. The other limitation is the toxicity that appears during the treatment, the same as in the case of traditional chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Furthermore, the cost of this therapy is significantly higher compared to classical treatments. However, the main obstacles are mechanisms of cancer drug resistance which are often developing in response to given drugs. In many cases, it makes further treatment impossible. This article is focusing on the limitations of molecularly targeted therapy.