Target specificity is achieved through various methods:
Monoclonal Antibodies: These are laboratory-produced molecules engineered to attach to specific antigens on cancer cells. Examples include trastuzumab (Herceptin) for HER2-positive breast cancer. Small Molecule Inhibitors: These drugs can enter cells easily and interfere with specific proteins or enzymes involved in cancer cell growth. Imatinib (Gleevec) is a well-known small molecule inhibitor used in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Immunotherapy: This approach harnesses the body's immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. Checkpoint inhibitors, such as pembrolizumab (Keytruda), block proteins that prevent the immune system from killing cancer cells. CAR-T Cell Therapy: This innovative treatment involves modifying a patient's T cells to express a receptor specific to cancer cells, thus enabling a targeted immune response.
