Targeted Therapies

Not all cancers grow or behave in the same way. Targeted therapies are medications that seek to interfere with specific molecular pathways that some cancer cells rely on.

When appropriate, these treatments may offer a more focused way to manage the disease. Our oncology team will look carefully at your pet's diagnosis, overall health, and individual circumstances to determine whether a targeted therapy might be a good fit for your pet.

Cancer cells often depend on particular proteins, enzymes, receptors, or communication pathways to grow and spread. Targeted medications are designed to interrupt one or more of these processes.

This differs from chemotherapy, which generally acts on rapidly dividing cells. The word "targeted," however, does not mean a medication affects cancer cells alone or is free from side effects; it means the treatment is selected because of a particular feature or vulnerability associated with the cancer.

Targeted therapy may be appropriate for certain cancer types or biological characteristics. It may be recommended as the primary treatment, paired with another therapy, or considered when a previous treatment no longer provides the desired effect.

Before making a recommendation, your pet's oncologist may consider:

• The type, location, and behavior of the cancer
• Whether relevant diagnostic or molecular testing is available
• Your pet's current health and other medical conditions
• Previous or ongoing cancer treatments
• The potential value and limitations of the medication
• Your family's goals and practical considerations

We will explain why a therapy is, or is not, a reasonable option for your pet rather than recommending treatment simply because it is available.

Many targeted therapies are oral medications that can be given at home, although this method and schedule depend on the individual drug. We will provide detailed instructions for administering and handling the medication safely.

Follow-up visits allow us to assess how your pet is feeling and whether the cancer appears to be responding. Monitoring may include physical examinations, bloodwork, blood pressure checks, imaging, or other testing based on the medication and diagnosis.