targeted therapy or immunotherapy
No, targeted therapy and immunotherapy are not the same; they are two distinct types of cancer treatment that work in different ways. Targeted therapy directly attacks cancer cells by focusing on specific genetic mutations or proteins that help them grow. Immunotherapy boosts the body’s own immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. Penn Medicine Penn Medicine +3 Key Differences Between Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy Targeted Therapy: Acts like a guided missile, attacking specific molecular changes in cancer cells to stop growth and spread. Immunotherapy: Acts like a trainer for the immune system, helping T-cells find and combat cancer. Targeting: Targeted therapies often work inside the cancer cell to interrupt growth signals, whereas immunotherapies typically act on the immune system to create an immune response against the tumor. Drug Examples: Targeted therapy includes small-molecule drugs, while many immunotherapies are checkpoint inhibitors. Mass General Brigham Mass General Brigham +5 When They Overlap Some treatments, such as certain monoclonal antibodies, can behave as both by targeting a specific protein and marking the cancer cell for destruction by the immune system. Both therapies are often used together or interchangeably, depending on the type of cancer, such as in melanoma, lung, and breast cancers.