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Targeted therapies are a type of medicine used to treat cancer. They work differently than standard chemotherapy. Instead of killing all fast-growing cells or keeping them from dividing, targeted therapies work more selectively against cancer cells.
Targeted therapies do one of three things:
- They target a gene or protein that causes cancer growth
- They damage cancer cells directly
- They tell your immune system to attack certain cells. This is also called immunotherapy
Bladder Cancer Care Tailored to You
You and your family are our top priority. At Fred Hutch Cancer Center, we offer comprehensive and compassionate care — personalized to you. You'll have access to the latest treatment options, clinical trials and supportive care services.
How Targeted Therapy is Used for Bladder Cancer Treatment
Your care team at Fred Hutch Cancer Center may recommend targeted therapy if:
- Bladder cancer has spread to other parts of your body (advanced or metastatic disease)
- Bladder cancer has come back after treatment
The option to get targeted therapy may depend on if your cancer cells have certain changes (mutations) in genes. Your Fred Hutch team can test your cancer cells for these mutations.
Targeted therapies can be used alone or along with chemotherapy.
Why Choose Fred Hutch for Targeted Therapy for Bladder Cancer
At Fred Hutch, patients get medical oncology care from leading physicians who specialize in bladder cancers. They are experts in their field and in giving medicines for bladder cancers. We often have clinical trials testing new drugs or new combinations of drugs for bladder cancer. We offer therapies that aren’t offered everywhere.
Your Fred Hutch medical oncologist partners with the rest of your care team. They work closely with your urologic oncologist and radiation oncologist. They design a treatment plan for you to target your tumor and have the least impact on healthy tissue. Your medical oncologist also works closely with you to manage any side effects. Your whole team helps you take the best possible care of yourself during treatment.
Targeted therapies may be used in a proportion of patients based on DNA changes that cancer cells might possess. One example is erdafitinib. Other therapies may be used in clinical trials.
The side effects of targeted therapies depend on the exact therapy you receive. Common side effects of erdafitinib may include high phosphorus level in the blood, visual/eye changes, appetite/taste changes, mouth irritation, fatigue, nausea, weight loss, fragile/discolored nails, among others.
Your care team at Fred Hutch is here to help you prevent or prepare for side effects and to relieve any side effects you have. The most important step you can take is to speak up and let your team know what you’re feeling. We’ve helped many patients and families through this process and know ways to ease your experience.
Often, there are medicines to help, like anti-nausea drugs. Based on the side effect, there may be a range of other helpful options too, like diet changes, physical therapy and emotional and practical support. We also offer integrative medicine, including acupuncture. Fred Hutch researchers continue to look for the best ways to keep side effects at bay.