Targeted Therapy for Colon Cancer

Colon cancer, also known as Colorectal Cancer (CRC), is a cancer that begins in the part of the large intestine called the colon. The  longest part of the large intestine is the colon. The colon cancer usually starts with clumps of cells, known as polyps, in the colon. The polyps are generally not cancerous, but some can turn into cancer gradually. This condition can lead to serious health complications and can also impact your way of life. 

Targeted therapy for colon cancer is a new revolution in the field of treatment, apart from the traditional treatments like chemotherapy and stem cell transplant that often develop some side effects. 

What is Targeted Therapy for Colon Cancer?

Targeted therapy for colon cancer treatment involves the use of some drugs to specifically target the cancer cells without affecting healthy cells. These drugs target the specific molecules (proteins) or genetic mutations that stimulate the progression of cancer cells. This treatment targets only your healthy cells and leaves your normal cells. 

How does Targeted Therapy work for Colon Cancer? 

As we know, the drugs of targeted therapy for colon cancer used to target molcules that help the cancer cells to grow, survive, and spread. The targeted molecules may include surface proteins on the cancer cells, enzymes, or some of the genetic mutations in the cells. 

Here are some of the key targets of drugs in targeted therapy.

• EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor): proteins that help cancer cells to grow.
• VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor): protein that helps in angiogenesis, thus providing nutrients and oxygen to the cells. 
• BRAF, RET, KRAS, or NTRK mutations: due to this mutation, there is uncontrolled cell growth
• HER2 (Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2): can lead to aggressive cell growth.

Types of Drugs of Targeted Therapy for Colon Cancer

There are various types of drugs used as targeted therapy for colon cancer treatment.

Monoclonal Antibodies

These are lab-grown molecules that mimic the immune system to fight off harmful pathogens, like cancer cells. Mnoclonal antibodies for colon cancer are used to target specific markers on the colon cancer cells. 

Angiogenesis Inhibitors

Angiogenesis inhibitor drugs target the VEGF protein that helps in angiogenesis, thus helping cancer cells to get nutrients and oxygen. Drugs like Bevacizumab (Avastin) and Ramucirumab (Cyramza)  are usually used to treat colon cancer.

Small Molecule Inhibitors

This consists of various drugs that target different mutations. 

• Drugs like Cetuximab (Erbitux) and Panitumumab (Vectibix) are used to target cancer cells with  EGFR changes.
• A small portion of the cancer cells have BRAF mutations, which help cancerous cells to grow . Thus, drugs like Encorafenib (Braftovi) can be used as a BRAF inhibitor. 
• Drugs like Trastuzumab (Herceptin), Pertuzumab (Perjeta), and Tucatinib (Tukysa) are used to target the HER2 mutations. 
• Larotrectinib (Vitrakvi) and entrectinib (Rozlytrek) are drugs that target the abnormal TRK proteins produced by the gene NTRK mutation in cancer cells. 
• Selpercatinib (Retevmo) drugs are used to target the abnormal RET proteins produced by the mutated RET genes.

There are lots of other drugs also available that can be effective for the colon cancer treatment. New advances are also going on to understand more molecules and their targeted drugs.

Benefits of Targeted Therapy for Colon Cancer

If you are getting targeted therapy for colon cancer, there are various significant benefits. 

• Precision and Effectiveness: Targeted therapy drugs target only cancer cells and leave healthy cells.
• Less side effects: As this therapy targets only cancerous cells, thus has fewer side effects
• Improve survival rates: These are designed in such a way that they will improve your life with fewer complications.
• Synergy with other treatments: Targeted therapy often has a longer period of remission when used in combination with other therapies like chemotherapy. 

Side Effects of Targeted Therapy for Colon Cancer

Targeted therapy for colon cancer has fewer side effects than traditional treatments.  However, some of the common risks are also present related to the targeted therapy. 

These may include, 

• Diarrhea
• High blood pressure
• Proteins in urine
• Skin thickening
• Joints and abdominal pain
• Sometimes, liver and lung problems
• Constipation
• Easy bleeding
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Rash

These above side effects vary according to the type of drug consumption. Sometimes the condition can be so severe that a doctor may advise you to get a different treatment option. 

What is the Targeted Therapy used for Colon Cancer?

Targeted therapy is generally used when chemotherapy is no longer responding for advanced or metastatic colon cancer. This can be used in the early stages of colon cancer. Targeted therapy can also be used with the combination of other treatments. 

What is Targeted Therapy Cost for Colon Cancer in India? 

There are various other types of colon cancer treatments available in India. Colon cancer treatment cost in India varies depending on the choice of your treatment, like chemotherapy or bone marrow transplant.

As you know, targeted therapy is a new advancement in the therapy and can be used in combination with other therapies. Targeted therapy is also available for different types of cancer treatment. The targeted therapy cost in India also varies depending on your severity and type of cancer. 

Targeted therapy cost for colon cancer vary depending on the severity of your condition, age, overall health, and your choice of hospital. 

To get more information about colon cancer, see Colon Cancer Treatment Cost in India

Takeaway

Targeted therapy for colon  cancer represents an exciting advancement in the treatments, offering a more focused and effective approach. Now patients can see additional treatment options, i.e., targeted therapy for colon cancer regardless of traditional treatment options, like  chemotherapy or bone marrow transplant. This approach is providing new hope for many patients, thus improving their quality of life. 

At Medsurge India, we are committed to helping patients find the best possible medical care in India. We have an expert medical team and provide comprehensive care and affordable treatment options, medical visa assistance, state-of-the-art facilities, multilingual support, and a positive patient experience.