Targeted therapies: a nursing perspective.
OBJECTIVE
To review the development of targeted therapies and the biology of relevant therapeutic targets. To analyze the relevance of targeted agents as part of current clinical practice.


METHODS
Research articles.


CONCLUSIONS
Several targeted agents are now available for clinical use. Their mechanisms of action are more specific against tumor cells than traditional cytotoxics. Monotherapy regimens based on targeted agents tend to be better tolerated than chemotherapy, and most combination regimens with targeted agents have proven feasible. Their availability has greatly expanded cancer treatment options, especially for chemorefractory patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses involved in the care of patients with cancer can benefit from an increased understanding of targeted therapies, including their mechanisms of action, their efficacy profile, as well as prophylaxis and management of adverse events and administration procedures.
Kay
Polly
P
UCLA Clinical Research Unit, University of California-Los Angeles, 10945 Le Conte Avenue, PVUB 3360, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. pkay@mednet.ucla.edu
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000187:drug effects; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D061988:Proteasome Inhibitors; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D061988:Proteasome Inhibitors; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases