Cancer treatment has evolved considerably over the years. Delhi, a major healthcare hub in India, is at the forefront of this change. Hospitals in the city are embracing targeted therapies to deliver more precise, personalised, and effective cancer care. These therapies are improving treatment outcomes and reducing side effects—reshaping how patients experience cancer treatment.
Targeted therapies work by focusing on specific genes, proteins, or tissues that help cancer grow. Unlike chemotherapy, which affects both healthy and cancerous cells, targeted treatments aim at only the cancerous ones. A cancer treatment hospital in Delhi is increasingly integrating these therapies into routine treatment plans.
What Are Targeted Therapies in Cancer Treatment?
Targeted therapies are shaping a new approach to how certain cancers are treated today. These treatments are designed to act on the unique biological traits of a tumour.
Definition and Mechanism
Targeted therapies block cancer growth by interfering with molecules involved in tumour development. They work by disrupting the signals that cancer cells use to survive, grow, or spread—without affecting most healthy cells. This makes them more tolerable than traditional treatments.
Types of Targeted Therapies
Common types include monoclonal antibodies, which bind to cancer cell receptors, and small molecule inhibitors that disrupt internal cell functions. Some vaccines and gene-based treatments are also in development. These therapies are tailored based on cancer type and genetic characteristics.
How Cancer Treatment Hospitals in Delhi Are Incorporating Targeted Therapies?
Hospitals in Delhi are actively integrating these therapies into their treatment protocols. Their commitment to research and partnerships drives this progress.
Advanced Research and Clinical Trials
Leading hospitals are engaged in clinical trials that explore new targeted therapies. This allows them to offer the latest treatments while contributing to global research. Molecular diagnostics and precision medicine teams are often involved in developing patient-specific treatment strategies.
Collaborations with Leading Institutions
Many cancer treatment centres partner with international research organisations. These collaborations help bring new therapies to Indian patients more quickly and ensure Delhi hospitals remain aligned with global cancer care standards.
Personalised Treatment Plans: The Role of Targeted Therapies
Personalisation lies at the heart of targeted cancer therapy. Testing and treatment selection are tailored to each patient.
Genetic Testing and Biomarker Identification
Hospitals conduct tests to identify mutations or markers in a patient’s tumour. This helps doctors choose the most effective drug for each individual, increasing success rates and minimising trial-and-error.
Tailoring Treatments for Specific Cancers
Different cancers require different targeted treatments. HER2-positive breast cancer may respond to trastuzumab, while EGFR-mutant lung cancer may be treated with osimertinib. Delhi hospitals use this knowledge to develop individual care plans.
Innovations in Targeted Therapies at Cancer Treatment Hospitals in Delhi
With access to global research, Delhi’s hospitals are offering next-generation care.
Use of Immunotherapy in Conjunction with Targeted Therapy
Some hospitals combine immunotherapy with targeted therapies. While one attacks the cancer’s biology, the other boosts the immune response. This combination is being used for cancers like melanoma and certain lung and kidney tumours.
Breakthrough Drugs and Treatments
Drugs such as imatinib (for leukaemia) and sorafenib (for liver cancer) are widely used in treatment plans at cancer treatment hospitals in Delhi. These therapies improve outcomes, especially when selected based on tumour biology.
The Benefits of Targeted Therapies in Cancer Treatment
Patients undergoing targeted therapies often experience a more focused and manageable treatment journey.
Fewer Side Effects Compared to Traditional Treatments
Since healthy cells are less affected, patients typically report fewer and milder side effects compared to chemotherapy or radiation. This results in a better overall experience during treatment.
More Effective for Certain Cancer Types
Cancers with specific genetic mutations often respond well to targeted therapies. These include HER2-positive breast cancer, BRAF-mutant melanoma, and ALK-positive lung cancer.
Challenges in Implementing Targeted Therapies in Cancer Treatment
Despite their promise, targeted therapies face certain limitations.
Cost and Accessibility
Many targeted treatments are expensive and not always covered by insurance. To improve access, hospitals are working with pharmaceutical companies and introducing financial support programmes.
Resistance to Targeted Therapies
Over time, some cancers may stop responding to targeted drugs. Delhi hospitals are researching ways to manage or delay this resistance, including switching therapies or using combination approaches.
The Future of Targeted Therapies in Cancer Treatment
As research advances, targeted therapies are expected to play a larger role in cancer care.
Ongoing Innovations and Research
Delhi hospitals are upgrading lab facilities and staying engaged in global oncology research. These steps ensure they are ready to adopt new therapies as they become available.
Potential for Combination Therapies
Future strategies will likely involve combining targeted therapies with chemotherapy, radiation, or gene therapy. These approaches are already being studied and piloted in Delhi’s top hospitals.
Also Read : Immunotherapy for Cancer Treatment Side Effects, Risks & Benefits
Conclusion
Targeted therapies are helping make cancer treatment more precise, effective, and patient-friendly. As cancer treatment hospitals continue to invest in research and advanced technologies, patients benefit from options that are both modern and personalised. These developments offer a promising path forward in the fight against cancer.
