Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer has led to the development of targeted therapies. These therapies aim to specifically target the molecular abnormalities driving cancer growth. For instance, imatinib targets the BCR-ABL fusion protein in chronic myeloid leukemia, while trastuzumab targets the HER2 receptor in certain breast cancers. Targeted therapies offer the advantage of being more specific to cancer cells, thereby reducing the side effects commonly associated with traditional chemotherapy.
