Cancer Treatment Medicines: Chemotherapy, Targeted Therapy & Hormone Therapy Explained

Cancer treatment has changed significantly over the years. Today, doctors can choose from several types of medicines depending on the type of cancer, stage of disease, molecular characteristics, previous treatment and overall health of the patient.

Three important categories of cancer medicines are chemotherapy, targeted therapy and hormone therapy.

Some patients may receive one type of treatment, while others may receive a combination of treatments. The National Cancer Institute notes that cancer treatment is selected according to the type and extent of cancer, and many patients receive combinations of therapies.

What Are Cancer Treatment Medicines?

Cancer treatment medicines are drugs used to treat cancer, slow its growth, prevent recurrence in appropriate situations, or relieve symptoms caused by cancer.

Depending on the cancer, treatment may include:

• Chemotherapy
• Targeted therapy
• Hormone therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Other specialized treatments
• Supportive-care medicines

The choice is not based simply on the name of the cancer. Doctors may also consider biomarkers, genetic or molecular changes, previous treatments and the patient's overall condition.

1. Chemotherapy

What Is Chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses medicines to kill cancer cells or stop their growth.

Many chemotherapy medicines affect rapidly growing cells. Depending on the cancer and treatment plan, chemotherapy may be used to:
-

• Treat cancer
• Reduce the chance of recurrence
• Slow cancer growth
• Shrink a tumour
• Relieve symptoms caused by cancer

Chemotherapy may be used alone, but it is also frequently combined with other treatments.

Examples of chemotherapy medicines

Depending on the type of cancer, chemotherapy may include medicines such as:
-

• Capecitabine
• Temozolomide
• Methotrexate
• Gemcitabine
• Cisplatin
• Carboplatin
• Paclitaxel
• Docetaxel

The medicine, dose and treatment schedule depend on the individual patient's diagnosis.

How is chemotherapy given?

Chemotherapy can be administered in different ways, including:-

• Oral tablets or capsules
• Intravenous infusion
• Injection
• Other routes depending on the medicine

Some chemotherapy medicines are taken at home, while others are administered in a hospital or oncology centre.

Common chemotherapy side effects

Because chemotherapy can affect healthy rapidly dividing cells as well as cancer cells, side effects can occur.

Depending on the medicine, patients may experience:-

• Fatigue
• Nausea or vomiting
• Hair loss
• Mouth sores
• Changes in blood counts
• Appetite changes
• Diarrhea or constipation

Not everyone experiences the same side effects, and the severity varies between medicines and patients.

2. Targeted Therapy

What Is Targeted Cancer Therapy?

Targeted therapy is designed to act on specific molecules or proteins involved in cancer-cell growth, division or spread.

The National Cancer Institute describes targeted therapy as a treatment that targets proteins controlling how cancer cells grow, divide and spread. It is an important part of precision medicine.

Unlike traditional chemotherapy, which often affects rapidly dividing cells more broadly, targeted therapy is designed around particular biological targets.

Examples of targeted therapy medicines

Depending on the cancer and target, examples include:

• Imatinib
• Gefitinib
• Erlotinib
• Osimertinib
• Lenvatinib
• Sorafenib
• Sunitinib
• Cabozantinib
• Palbociclib
• Olaparib
• Abiraterone
• Enzalutamide

These medicines are not interchangeable. Their use depends on the cancer type, treatment indication and, in many cases, specific biomarkers.

The NCI's targeted-therapy database lists approved targeted medicines according to specific cancer types.

What Is Biomarker Testing?

Some targeted therapies work only when cancer cells have a particular molecular characteristic or target.

A doctor may therefore recommend biomarker testing to determine whether a tumour has a target that can potentially be treated with a particular medicine.

This is one reason why two patients with the same broad cancer diagnosis may receive different medicines.

Example - 

Two patients may both have lung cancer, but their tumours may have different molecular characteristics.One patient may potentially benefit from a particular targeted medicine while another may require a different treatment.

Therefore, targeted therapy should always be selected by the treating oncology team.

3. Hormone Therapy

What Is Hormone Therapy?

Hormone therapy, also called endocrine therapy, is used for cancers that use certain hormones to grow.

It is particularly important in some:-

• Breast cancers
• Prostate cancers

Hormone therapy can work by reducing hormone production or preventing hormones from acting on cancer cells.

Examples of hormone therapy medicines

Depending on the cancer, medicines may include:-

For certain breast cancers:

• Letrozole
• Anastrozole
• Tamoxifen
• Exemestane

For certain prostate cancers:

• Abiraterone
• Enzalutamide
• Bicalutamide
• Leuprolide
• Goserelin

The specific medicine depends on the cancer, hormone sensitivity, stage and treatment plan.

Can These Treatments Be Used Together?

Yes.

Cancer treatment may involve combinations of different treatment approaches. For example, depending on the cancer, a patient may receive: - 

Chemotherapy + targeted therapy or Hormone therapy + targeted therapy or  Chemotherapy + radiation therapy + other treatment

The appropriate combination depends on the specific cancer and clinical circumstances.

Patients should never combine cancer medicines on their own.

Oral Cancer Medicines vs Injectable Treatments

Not all cancer medicines are administered in the same way.

Some are available as:

• Tablets
• Capsules
• Injections
• Intravenous infusions

Some targeted therapies are small-molecule medicines that can be taken orally, while monoclonal antibodies are generally administered intravenously.

Oral cancer medicines

Oral medicines can allow some patients to take treatment at home. However, this does not mean they are less powerful or require less monitoring.

Patients should follow the prescribed:

• Dose
• Timing
• Treatment cycle
• Food instructions
• Storage instructions

How Do Doctors Decide Which Cancer Medicine to Use?

Doctors may consider several factors:

1. Type of cancer

Breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, leukemia and kidney cancer can require very different medicines.

2. Stage of cancer

Treatment can vary depending on whether cancer is localized, advanced or metastatic.

3. Biomarkers

Some targeted treatments require identification of a specific molecular target.

4. Previous treatment

Doctors consider which treatments the patient has already received.

5. Overall health

Kidney function, liver function, blood counts and other medical conditions may influence treatment selection.

6. Treatment goals

Treatment may aim to cure cancer, reduce recurrence risk, control disease or relieve symptoms.

What Are the Side Effects of Cancer Treatment Medicines?

Side effects depend heavily on the medicine and the individual.

Chemotherapy may cause effects such as nausea, fatigue, hair loss or changes in blood counts.

Targeted therapies can also cause side effects. The NCI notes that possible effects include diarrhea, liver problems, high blood pressure, fatigue, mouth sores and skin problems, although the specific effects depend on the drug.

Hormone therapy can also produce side effects depending on the medicine and the patient's treatment.

Never stop cancer treatment because of a side effect without contacting the treating healthcare team.

Doctors may be able to adjust treatment or prescribe supportive medicines to manage certain side effects.

What Should Patients Know Before Buying Cancer Medicines?

If you are purchasing an oncology medicine, carefully check:

• Medicine name
• Active ingredient
• Strength
• Dosage form
• Pack size
• Manufacturer
• Expiry date
• Storage instructions
• Prescription requirements

This is particularly important when purchasing specialty medicines online.

Don't compare medicines only by brand name

If you are looking at different products, compare:

Active ingredient + strength + dosage form + pack size

A lower-priced product should not automatically be considered a substitute for the medicine prescribed by your doctor.

Can Cancer Medicines Be Purchased Online?

Some prescription and specialty medicines are available through online pharmacy services, subject to applicable prescription and dispensing requirements.

Before purchasing, patients should verify the pharmacy, product information and prescription requirements.

For specialty medicines, availability can also vary by location and product.

Frequently Asked Questions

- Is chemotherapy the same as targeted therapy?

No. Chemotherapy generally works by killing or stopping the growth of cancer and other rapidly dividing cells, while targeted therapy is designed to act on specific molecular targets involved in cancer.

- Is targeted therapy better than chemotherapy?

Not necessarily. The appropriate treatment depends on the cancer and the patient's individual characteristics. Targeted therapy may be useful when an appropriate target is present.

- Is hormone therapy a type of chemotherapy?

No. Hormone therapy works by blocking or reducing the effects of hormones that certain cancers use to grow.

- Which cancers can be treated with hormone therapy?

Hormone therapy is particularly used for certain breast and prostate cancers that depend on hormones for growth.

- Are targeted therapy medicines available as tablets?

Some targeted therapies are oral small-molecule medicines, while others are administered as infusions or injections.

- Can cancer medicines be changed to a cheaper brand?

Do not change or substitute a cancer medicine based only on price. Discuss any proposed substitution with the treating oncologist or pharmacist.

Find Oncology & Specialty Medicines

SuperMeds offers a range of specialty medicines across oncology and other specialty-care categories, subject to product availability and applicable prescription requirements.

Patients can browse oncology medicines and individual molecule information to learn more about available products.

Explore Oncology Medicines →

 

Medical Disclaimer

This article is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment recommendation. Cancer treatment is individualized. Do not start, stop, change or substitute any cancer medicine without consulting your oncologist or qualified healthcare professional.

References

• National Cancer Institute – Types of Cancer Treatment
• National Cancer Institute – Chemotherapy
• National Cancer Institute – Targeted Therapy
• National Cancer Institute – Hormone Therapy
• NCI – Targeted Therapy Drug List by Cancer Type