Overview of molecular targeted therapy in cancer

Systemic therapy of cancer by cytotoxic agents is the cornerstone of cancer treatment. But now, these agents are being supplemented by a new generation of drugs that recognize specific targets in or on the cancer cells.These targeted agents can be classified broadly into monoclonal antibodies, signal pathway inhibitors and those targeting genetic abnormalities. Gene therapy and immunotherapy are the latest weapons in the arsenal that have been introduced and studies are ongoing. Although there as been an explosion in the armamentarium against cancer as far as targeted therapy in concerned, we need to further intensify our efforts as the era of ‘personalised medicine’ dawns on us and the concept of quality of life becomes more relevant in a developing country like ours.