General Cancer Treatments – Target vs Non-Target Approaches

50 vocabulary flashcards summarizing key terms related to targeted and non-targeted cancer treatments, as presented in the lecture notes.

General Cancer Treatments

Broad strategies used to eliminate or control cancer cells.

Target vs Non-target Treatment

Two main categories of cancer therapy distinguished by how selectively they attack cancer cells.

Targeted Therapy

Treatment that attacks specific cancer cell molecules while sparing most normal cells.

Non-targeted Therapy

Therapy such as chemotherapy or radiation that affects all rapidly dividing cells.

Specific Cancer Cell Molecules

Unique or overexpressed proteins on cancer cells that can be directly attacked by targeted drugs.

HER2

A growth-factor receptor often overexpressed in certain cancers and a target of some therapies.

EGFR

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor, another molecule frequently targeted in cancer treatments.

Normal Cells

Healthy body cells that targeted therapy aims to spare from damage.

Chemotherapy

A non-targeted drug treatment that kills rapidly dividing cells, both cancerous and healthy.

Radiation

High-energy treatment that damages DNA in rapidly dividing cells, classified as non-targeted.

Rapidly Dividing Cells

Cells that reproduce quickly and are vulnerable to chemotherapy and radiation.

Healthy Cells

Non-cancerous cells that can be harmed by non-targeted therapies.

Less Harm to Normal Cells

A key advantage of targeted therapy over non-targeted treatments.

Harm to Healthy Cells

A major drawback of chemotherapy and radiation due to their lack of selectivity.

Molecule Attack

The strategy of targeting specific proteins on cancer cells.

Cell Specificity

The degree to which a therapy focuses on cancer cells rather than normal tissue.

Cancer Treatment Selectivity

How precisely a therapy discriminates between malignant and healthy cells.

Broad Spectrum Therapy

Treatment that impacts a wide variety of cells, including healthy ones.

Precision Therapy

Another term for targeted therapy emphasizing its exact action.

Cytotoxicity

The capacity of a substance to kill cells, often higher in non-targeted therapies.

Therapy Target

The specific molecule or pathway a targeted drug is designed to hit.

Non-specific Damage

Collateral injury to healthy tissues caused by non-targeted treatments.

Oncogene Targeting

Focusing therapy on genes or proteins that drive cancer growth, such as HER2.

DNA Damage

The primary mechanism by which radiation therapy kills cells.

Cell Division Rate

How quickly a cell reproduces; high rates make cells susceptible to chemotherapy.

Therapy Examples

HER2 inhibitors, EGFR inhibitors (targeted) vs chemotherapy, radiation (non-targeted).

Cancer Cell

A malignant cell characterized by uncontrolled growth and potential to invade tissues.

Off-target Effects

Unintended actions of a drug on healthy cells or pathways.

Systemic Effects

Body-wide consequences often seen with chemotherapy.

Treatment Modality

A particular method or form of cancer therapy.

Oncogenic Signaling

Abnormal molecular signals that drive cancer cell growth, often targeted by therapy.

Growth Factor Receptors

Proteins like HER2 and EGFR that can be exploited as therapeutic targets.

Receptor Overexpression

Excessive amounts of a receptor on cancer cells, offering a precise treatment target.

Therapy Classification

Labeling treatments as targeted or non-targeted based on selectivity.

Therapeutic Discrimination

The capacity of a treatment to distinguish between cancerous and normal cells.

Mechanism of Action

How a therapy exerts its effects on cells, e.g., DNA damage or receptor blockade.

Selective Action

Targeted therapy’s focused impact on malignant cells.

Broad Action

Non-targeted therapy’s widespread effect on dividing cells.

Therapy Impact

The overall effect of a treatment on cancer cells and patient health.

Therapeutic Approach

The strategic plan of using targeted vs non-targeted methods.

Cellular Targets

Specific structures or molecules within cancer cells that drugs aim to hit.

Healthy Tissue Impact

Extent of collateral damage suffered by normal tissues during therapy.

Cancer Treatment Category

Grouping therapies into targeted or non-targeted classifications.

Target Recognition

The ability of a drug to identify and bind specific cancer cell molecules.

Rapid Cell Proliferation

Fast cell growth characteristic exploited by chemotherapy and radiation.

Oncogenic Molecule

A protein or receptor that contributes to cancer progression and serves as a therapeutic target.

Treatment Precision

Degree of accuracy with which therapy affects only malignant cells.

Treatment Broadness

Extent to which a therapy impacts a wide range of cell types.

Cell Sparing

The preservation of normal cells achieved by targeted therapies.

Cell Damaging

The cell-killing activity, especially prominent in non-targeted treatments.