“Targeted therapies” for breast cancer are the newest form of breast cancer treatment and can be utilized alongside other treatments or as stand alone, depending on the situation.

These targeted therapies directly focus on cancer cells or specific processes that contribute to the growth of cancer cells. These newer therapies tend to have fewer side effects as well.

Following are some of these new targeted therapies:

• • Monoclonal Antibodies: As a cancer treatment, these antibodies can attach to specific target proteins on cancer cells or other cells that may help cancer cells grow. The antibodies then kill the cancer cells, block their growth, or keep them from spreading.
  • Tyrosine kinase inhibitors: This treatment blocks signals needed for tumors to grow. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors may be used with other anticancer drugs as adjuvant therapy.
  • Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors: This treatment blocks proteins called cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), which cause the growth of cancer cells.
  • Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors: This treatment blocks a protein called mTOR, which may keep cancer cells from growing and prevent the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow.
  • Poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors: This treatment blocks DNA repair and may cause cancer cells to die.
  • Immunotherapy: Medications such as Tecentriq (atezolizumab) help your immune system to recognize and fight cancer.

• • For more in-depth information, the following resources may be helpful:
    • • https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/6-advances-in-breast-cancer-diagnosis-and-treatment.h00-159308568.html
      • https://www.healthline.com/health/breast-cancer/treatment-breakthroughs-2019
      • https://www.komen.org/breast-cancer/metastatic/treatment/emerging-areas/
      • https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-09/trmn-2r092020.php