Chapter 36 : Targeted Therapies To Treat Cancer

Question 1

What is target cancer therapy?

Answer 1

Destroy the cancer cells
But they can tell the difference between cancer and non cancer

Question 2

What is the end result of targeted cancer therapies and means what?

Answer 2

Apoptosis
- programmed cell death

Question 3

Targeted cell therapies
Approaches
First - compare individual protein in cancer cells with those of normal cells

Second - identify mutant protein that can cause cancer progression

Third - look for abnormal chromosomes present in cancer cells but not in normal cells

Methods
Block or turn off chemical signs preventing cancer cell growth and divide

Change proteins within cancer cells causing cell lysis

Prevents cancer from forming new vessels

Trigger immune system to kill cancer cells

Toxic to cancer cells but not non cancerous cells

Limitations
- mutation, not sufficient numbers to target cells

Question 4

Notes
Most target therapies
Angiogenesis inhibitors
Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors
Tyrosine kinsesse inhibitor
Monoclonal antibodies
Proteasome inhibitor

Question 5

What are your side effects of target therapies?

Two big things!

Answer 5

Severe bleeding!!!
Hypertensive crisis
Nephrotic syndrome
Skin disorders
Lung disease
Thromboemoblic events!!!
GI perforation
Diarrhea
Hepatotoxicity
Cardiotoxicity

Question 6

Nursing action of target therapy

Regular skin examinations
Monitor for signs of infection
Assess for evidence of thromboemobolic events

Monitor for any signs of perforation

Monitor lab values

Assess for cardiac events

Assess for pulmonary complications

Teach patients to avoid taking NSAIDS

Avoid hepatotoxicity drugs