Targeted drugs help to interfere with the way the cells work and control the progression of Myeloma within the body. In simpler words, they are used to recognize the cancer cells by differentiating them from the normal ones.
Why is targeted drug therapy effective for treating Multiple Myeloma? Cancer cells have certain modifications in their DNA that set them apart from the normal cells and help them grow and divide abnormally within the body. With the use of targeted drugs, the differences are recognized, and the cancer cells are aimed to destroy. That is how there is little or no effect on the normal cells. Benefits of Targeted Drug Treatment for Multiple Myeloma
Side Effects & Precautions
There may be some life-threatening side effects such as blood clots or shortness of breath. In that case, contact your medical professional immediately. Precautions
List of Medications used in Targeted Therapy
Bottom-line Targeted drug therapy focuses on the particular abnormalities of the cancer cells and destroys them without damaging the normal cells. Hence, it has gained immense prominence over the years as one of the most effective ways of treating cancer. Read:- Chemotherapy for Multiple Myeloma
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Ductal Carcinoma in Situ is a non-invasive type of cancer that occurs when abnormal cells are in the lining of the breast milk duct. However, they do not spread outside of the ducts into the nearby breast tissues. It is characterized as a very early stage of cancer that is treatable. However, if symptoms are neglected in the initial phase, it can spread to other parts gradually.
Causes and Symptoms It usually takes place when genetic mutations take place in the breast duct cells’ DNA, which makes the cells abnormal. However, at this stage, they do not have the ability to spread out. What leads to these genetic mutations has not yet been determined by researchers. Symptoms
Treatment procedures
Medication used for Ductile Carcinoma in Situ treatment
The rates of DCIS relapsing are not very high, around 30%. However, it may take place typically after 5 to 10 years of initial diagnosis. Make sure to get medical attention and start treatment immediately before it gets invasive. Read:- what is metastatic breast cancer One of the most predominantly found cancer types in both men and women, small cell lung cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer treatments have advanced substantially. With an advanced treatment procedure, there has been a considerable decrease in death rates. That being said, of course, the lower smoking rates have also been a significant cause, which has led to a lot lesser people being diagnosed with lung cancer.
Various treatments of various types of lung cancer Both small cell and non-small cell lung cancers have different approaches to treatment. In this respect, mention may be made of immunotherapy and targeted therapy that is quite effective in dealing with NSCLC. Both immunotherapy and targeted therapy drugs are also referred to as precision medicine because they typically target the cancer cells with a specific gene mutation. Effectiveness of newer treatment methods Relevant information has been obtained from the NCI’s Surveillance SEER data by researchers to stand by the claim that there has been a decline in the death rates of lung cancer. The inference is in affirmative, i.e., it claims that there has been a steady downfall in the death rates than a rise in the rate of new cases at present, due to the newer treatments. For instance, the death rates in men have gone down by 6.3% in between 2013-2016. Similarly, there has been a decline in death rates in patients who have been diagnosed with small-cell lung cancer. However, a different factor may be taken into account her. Data claims that the decline in death rates due to treatment advances isn’t as much as the diagnosis of new cases due to lesser smoking rates. In fact, researchers have also acknowledged that tobacco consumption has reduced in both men and women. Conclusion So far, it has been a breakthrough that the most common cancer category, non-small cell lung cancer mortality rates, has gone down due to the newer forms of treatments. The declination proves it is ongoing and shows promising numbers. The contribution of several targeted therapies approved in recent years is immense. That being said, doctors have also acknowledged that treating both non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer is exceptionally tough, despite the advanced medical facilities, especially if it has been diagnosed in the advanced stages. While it is true that not all lung cancers have smoking as an integral cause, it certainly has a significant part to play in it. Therefore, quitting smoking is the first step towards reducing the risk of having cancer. Read:- How low dose of erlotinib is helpful for weak or elderly patients with non small cell lung cancer. In recent years, the advancement of targeted drug therapy for lung cancer has caused a rapid decline in the death rate of patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Therefore, drugs are also being developed accordingly to meet the requirements. It must be mentioned that their functions differ profoundly from that of standard chemotherapy drugs.
Targeted drugs for curbing the growth of tumor blood vessels The tumors are nourished by blood vessels, which also helps them grow by the process of angiogenesis. Some of the commonly prescribed angiogenesis inhibitors are:
1. EGFR Receptors The EGFR proteins that grow on the surface of normal cells help them divide and grow within the body. The non-small cell lung cancer cells have a high amount of EGFR, which induces rapid growth. EGFR inhibitors are drugs that block the signal from the proteins that help them to grow. To name a few, there are: Erlotinib 150mg, Afatinib 40mg, and Gefitinib 250mg are effective for conducting therapies in patients with advanced NSCLC who have a particular mutation in the EGFR gene. All of these medications are consumed in pill form. 2. EGFR inhibitors and T790M mutation Typically, EGFR inhibitors are useful for suppressing the growth of cancer cells temporarily because they form a different mutation like T790M in most cases. Drugs like Osimertinib are useful to target the cells with this specific mutation. 3. Squamous cell NSCLC & EGFR inhibitors The monoclonal antibody named Necitumumab is used to target the EGFR in patients diagnosed with advanced squamous cell NSCLC. 4. ALK gene changes Often diagnosed in non-smokers with NSCLC, the gene rearrangement known as ALK is responsible for producing an abnormal protein that causes the cells to grow and spread in large numbers. There are different drugs that can target the abnormal ALK proteins like Crizotinib, Ceritinib, Alectinib, Lorlatinib, etc. They help the tumor to shrink and can be used in place of chemotherapy. 5. ROS1 gene changes Approximately 1-2% of the NSCLC cases have the gene rearrangement, also known as ROS1. In this case, the tumors are negative for ALK, KRAS, and EGFR mutations. The drugs that help to target the ROS1 proteins to shrink the tumor or curb the further growth of cancer cells are Ceritinib, Entrectinib, etc. 6. BRAF inhibitors The NSCLC cells that have mutations in the BRAF gene can benefit from the following targeted therapy drugs:
7. RET gene changes Selpercatinib is a type of RET inhibitor that specifically targets the RET protein to treat metastatic NSCLC. 8. MET gene changes The abnormal MET protein is targeted by MET inhibitors like Capmatinib to stop the growth and spread of cancer cells. 9. NTRK gene changes Larotrectinib and Entrectinib are two of the drugs that are useful in disabling the action of the proteins made by the NTRK genes. Conclusion Note that before prescribing the drugs, the doctor will conduct medical examinations on the tumor to determine the type of gene mutation it features. Read:- Immunotherapy for non small cell lung cancer Hepatitis C is a viral infection that impacts the liver and can be classified into two types- acute and chronic. In fact, it is one of the main causes of liver cancer. Approximately, 71 million people of the global population get infected by this viral disease. However, the recovery rate is quite promising- more than 95% of patients, with proper drug treatment can overcome it. One of the most common medications used to treat this condition is the Sofosbuvir and Velpatasvir combination, commonly known as the Velpanat tablet.
How is the medication helpful in treating this condition? For the therapy of chronic Hepatitis C, the Sofosbuvir and Velpatasvir tablets are used in both adults and children (6 years or older, weight- 17 kgs or more). It belongs to the class of antiviral drugs that functions by terminating the virus (removing it from the blood over a certain period), which is responsible for causing and spreading Hepatitis C in the body. How to take medicine? It is consumed orally in tablet form. You can take it with or without food continuously for 12 weeks, one each day. Swallow it whole, without crushing or chewing. It is suggested to have a 24-hours gap in between every dose. The standard dosage is Sofosbuvir 400 mg and Velpatasvir 100 mg, which leads to the formation of Velpanat (400+100mg). However, depending on your condition and medical history, your doctor may prescribe a different dose or alter it after a while. If you miss one, do not double it. The best solution is to wait for the next day and continue the standard dose. If you overdose, seek medical attention immediately. In case you experience intolerable side effects, contact the medical expert immediately to decrease the dose or pause themedication. Precautionary measures that need to be followed while taking Velpanat tablets
Side Effects of Sofosbuvir Velpatasvir
These are some of the common side effects that can be experienced during the course of the treatment. However, if the intensity gets worse, your doctor might prescribe certain drugs to deal with them. Some of the rare side effects are breathing trouble, swelling, allergic reactions on the skin, itching, etc. Inform your healthcare professional immediately if any of these are experienced. Conclusion It is essential to drink plenty of fluid and maintain a healthy diet during this drug therapy. Limit or restrict alcoholic beverages as much as possible. Store it at a safe temperature, around 10 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius. Keep it away from children and pets. Regular blood tests and other medical examinations must also be conducted to keep a tab on your condition and whether you benefit from the medication. Sofosbuvir Velpatasvir cost is exceptionally high, at around $74,760. To cover the treatment cost, the patient is advised to keep all the medical insurance papers safely. Read:- Treatment of Advance Prostate cancer Disclaimer: The afore-mentioned information is solely to inform the audience about the medicine. We don’t guarantee its effectiveness. Leuprorelin is recommended for use in the treatment of hormone-responsive cancers such as breast cancer and prostate cancer. It can also be used for estrogen-dependent conditions such as uterine fibroids or endometriosis.
Leuprolide acetate used for the precocious puberty in males as well as females, and to prevent premature ovulation in the cycles of controlled ovarian stimulation for in the IVF (vitro fertilization). Leuprorelin acetate may be used in order to reduce the risk of the premature ovarian failure in females receiving cyclophosphamide for chemotherapy. In combination with goserelin and triptorelin, the drug can be used in order to delay the puberty in transgender youth until they are old enough to start the hormone replacement therapy. Warning/Precautions:
Read:- Precautions and warnings of Ribociclib Note: In order to seek more information about this specific product, please read full PI (prescribing information). Before starting the treatment with this drug consult a physician. Being the second most common type of cancer in men, Prostate cancer cannot be determined by symptoms and, in some cases, go unrecognized until it gets advanced. The average age of getting diagnosed with this disease is 66 years. In fact, according to researches, it has been found out that out of 41 men, at least 1 man has the possibility of dying due to this condition. However, there have been some promising results in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer that may bring about a positive change in the statistics.
Surgery for Prostate Cancer It is one of the most preferred treatments for dealing with this condition. However, it can only be done if cancer hasn't spread to other parts of the body. It is known as Radical prostatectomy, where the entire prostate gland and nearby tissues, are removed from the body. The more traditional approach involves a single long skin incision, and the modern approach, also known as laparoscopic prostatectomy, makes the use of special surgical tools to make smaller incisions and remove the gland. Radiation Therapy for Prostate CancerUtilizing high-energy rays and particle, Radiation therapy aims at killing the cancer cells. This form of therapy is used when the cancer is still in the gland and of low grade. Radiation therapy is given in combination with hormone therapy in case cancer has spread to the nearby tissues if cancer relapses or if it needs to be kept in control to relieve the symptoms. There are two types of radiation therapy- external beam radiation and internal radiation. Cryotherapy for Prostate Cancer It is nothing but the use of freezing cold temperatures to eliminate the cancer cells and is preferred mostly if cancer has relapsed after radiation therapy. Men suffering from low-risk early-stage prostate cancer can opt for this form of treatment. Procedure: Spinal anesthesia or general anesthesia is mandatory in this case. By using the transrectal ultrasound, several hollow probes or needles are guided through the skin between the anus and scrotum to make their way to the prostate gland. The doctor passes extremely cold gases through the needles that freeze the prostate. At the same time, warm salt water is being passed through a catheter in the urethra so that it does not freeze over during the procedure. There is less blood loss in this treatment and the recovery period is also much shorter. However, it is still not the first choice of prostate cancer treatment. Hormone Therapy for Prostate Cancer If cancer has spread and is not suitable to be treated by radiation therapy or surgery, one can opt for hormone therapy. It is also known as androgen suppression therapy where the levels of male hormones are reduced so that they do not stimulate the cancer cells. It can also be opted for before radiation therapy to reduce the size of the cells. The several types of hormone therapies can be mentioned as follows-
Mention may also be made of the Abiraterone acetate that is also tremendously fruitful in dealing with metastatic prostate cancer. Suppose the patient's body is no longer responding to the other types of hormone therapy. In that case, this drug can be used to stop the production of testosterone and so that the cancer cells aren't stimulated by it and therefore stay in control. The usually recommended dose is four Abiraterone acetate 250 mg tablets per day, i.e., 1000mg. Chemotherapy for Prostate Cancer In chemotherapy, different prostate cancer medications are given to the patient intravenously or orally to kill the cancer cells. According to recent researches, it has been found out that this form of treatment is more effective if it is continued alongside hormone therapy. It is typically continued in cycles that last for 2 to 3 weeks followed by a rest period. However, this is not considered to be a standard treatment for prostate cancer. Immunotherapy for Prostate Cancer With the use of several drugs, the body's immune system is made capable of attacking the prostate cancer cells in case of immunotherapy. If your body is no longer getting benefitted from hormone therapy, the cancer vaccine or Provenge can be useful. This type of therapy cannot fully cure the condition but certainly increase the lifespan of the patient by a considerable amount. Targeted Therapy for Prostate Cancer In this therapy, various drugs are used to identify and attack the cancer cells in the body. There are different types of targeted therapies, and each of them works differently to interfere with the growth and spreading of the cancer cells. One must be aware that it can cause slight damage to the normal cells also. Read:- Causes of Prostate cancer Disclaimer: The above-mentioned content is only for information purpose. We don’t claim the effectiveness of the medication. Trastuzumab is recommended for treating patients with the metastatic breast cancer or HER2-positive breast cancer.
Here are the list of some warnings and precautions of Trastuzumab:-
Read :- How this trastuzumab is helpful in Breast cancer treatment Palbociclib is indicated for the treatment of hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer:
Patients should be encouraged to take their dose (palbociclib capsules) at approximately the same time each day. If any patient misses or vomits a dose, an additional dose must be avoided that day. The upcoming prescribed dose must be consumed at about the usual time. Precautions and Warnings:
NOTE: In order to know more about palbociclib, please see prescribing information. |
AuthorMy Name is Amit Sharma I am a pharmacist, I am having 25+ years of experience in Pharma medications. ArchivesCategories
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