Targeted Therapy: What It Is, How It Works, and What It Treats

When you hear targeted therapy, a type of cancer treatment that attacks specific molecules driving tumor growth. Also known as precision medicine, it doesn’t just blast cells—it picks out the ones that matter. Unlike chemotherapy, which hits fast-growing cells no matter where they are, targeted therapy uses drugs designed to lock onto proteins or genes that are mutated or overactive in cancer cells. This means fewer side effects for most people, and often better results.

Targeted therapy works because cancer isn’t one disease—it’s hundreds. Each tumor has its own genetic fingerprint. Some have BRAF mutations, others rely on HER2 proteins, or ALK rearrangements. Drugs like vemurafenib, trastuzumab, or crizotinib are built to block just those signals. That’s why you can’t take the same targeted drug for every kind of cancer. It’s like using a key that only fits one lock. If your tumor doesn’t have that exact lock, the drug won’t work. That’s why testing for specific biomarkers is now standard before starting treatment.

Targeted therapy isn’t a cure-all, but it’s changed the game for many. People with advanced melanoma, lung cancer, or breast cancer who once had months to live are now living years—with better quality of life. It’s not magic. Resistance can develop. Tumors find new ways to grow. That’s why it’s often used with other treatments: chemo, immunotherapy, or radiation. And while it’s mostly used for cancer, researchers are testing it for autoimmune diseases and rare genetic disorders too.

You’ll find real stories here—how patients managed side effects like rashes or high blood pressure, why some stopped responding after a year, and how genetic testing helped others find the right drug. We also cover what happens when targeted therapy fails, what new drugs are coming, and how doctors decide which one to try first. No fluff. Just what you need to understand your options, ask smart questions, and know what to expect.