Cancer treatment is becoming more personalised. Two important treatments used for selected cancers are targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
Although both treatments are used to fight cancer, they work in different ways. Understanding the difference can help patients have a better conversation with their oncologist.
What Is Targeted Therapy?
Targeted therapy is designed to act on specific changes in cancer cells that help them grow and survive.
Before targeted therapy is recommended, doctors may perform molecular or biomarker testing to look for specific changes in the cancer.
Targeted therapy may be considered when:
- The cancer has a specific genetic or molecular change.
- A suitable targeted medicine is available.
- The patient’s cancer type and stage are appropriate for the treatment.
- The test results suggest that the cancer may respond to the treatment.
For example, some patients with lung cancer may have changes such as EGFR, ALK, ROS1, or KRAS, while some breast cancers may have HER2 overexpression.
What Is Immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy works differently. It helps the body’s immune system recognise and fight cancer cells.
Cancer cells can sometimes avoid being attacked by the immune system. Immunotherapy can help remove some of these barriers and allow immune cells to respond to the cancer.
Immunotherapy may be considered for selected patients based on:
- Cancer type and stage
- Previous treatments
- Overall health
- Biomarker results
- PD-L1 expression
- MSI or dMMR status
- Other relevant clinical factors
Immunotherapy is used for several cancers, including selected cases of lung cancer, melanoma, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, head and neck cancer, and other cancers.
Targeted Therapy vs Immunotherapy
The main difference is how they work:
| Targeted Therapy | Immunotherapy |
| Acts on specific targets in cancer cells | Helps the immune system fight cancer |
| Usually requires identification of a relevant molecular target | May depend on specific immune-related biomarkers |
| Often guided by molecular testing | May be guided by biomarkers such as PD-L1, MSI or dMMR |
| Used for selected cancers with suitable targets | Used for selected cancers where immunotherapy may be beneficial |
Neither treatment is suitable for every patient.
Can Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy Be Used Together?
In some cancer types and situations, targeted therapy and immunotherapy may both be part of a patient’s overall treatment plan. However, they are not automatically combined.
The choice depends on the cancer type, stage, molecular findings, previous treatment, overall health, and available evidence for that particular situation.
How Does the Doctor Decide?
The doctor may review:
- Biopsy and pathology reports
- Cancer type and stage
- Molecular and genetic test results
- Biomarker reports
- Previous treatments
- Treatment response
- Overall health
This information helps the oncology team decide which treatment options may be appropriate.
Why Precision Oncology Matters
Precision oncology focuses on understanding the individual characteristics of a patient’s cancer before selecting treatment.
Molecular and biomarker testing can sometimes provide important information about whether targeted therapy or immunotherapy may be appropriate.
At Dr. AV Cancer Institute, personalised cancer treatment planning considers the patient’s diagnosis, pathology, molecular information, previous treatment, and overall health.
Conclusion
Targeted therapy and immunotherapy are different approaches to cancer treatment.
Targeted therapy focuses on specific changes that help cancer cells grow, while immunotherapy helps the immune system recognise and fight cancer.
The right treatment depends on the individual patient. Molecular and biomarker testing, along with a detailed oncology consultation, can help determine which options may be suitable.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, consult an oncologist to understand which treatment options may be appropriate for your specific condition.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only. Cancer treatment decisions should be made with a qualified oncology specialist based on the patient’s individual diagnosis, test results, and overall health.
