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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.
They 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.
Colon 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 Colon Cancer Treatment
Your care team at Fred Hutch Cancer Center may recommend targeted therapy if:
- Colon cancer has spread to other parts of your body (advanced or metastatic disease).
- Colon 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 Colon Cancer
Medical oncologists at Fred Hutch are experts in all forms of medicine to treat cancer, including the latest targeted therapies. They know how to choose and combine drug options to match your needs. Besides standard therapies, we often have clinical trials testing new drugs or new combinations for colon cancer. So, we are able to offer you therapies that aren’t offered everywhere.
Your medical oncologist partners with the rest of your Fred Hutch care team. They work closely with your surgical oncologist and pathologist. 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 from medicine-based treatments. Your whole team helps you take the best possible care of yourself.
Targeted therapy can be given by infusion or by mouth. For an infusion, liquid medicine is put into a vein through an intravenous (IV) line. This can be a line in your arm (peripheral venous catheter) or a port in your chest (central venous catheter). Cancer nurses who are experts in infusions give you these treatments. They will also watch over you during the treatment. They will help with any medical issues that come up and will keep you comfortable.
Some types of targeted therapy are given as a pill that you take at home.
Common targeted therapy drugs for colon cancer include:
- Adagrasib
- Bevacizumab
- Cetuximab
- Encorafenib
- Panitumumab
- Sotorasib
- Tucatinib
- Trastuzumab
The side effects of targeted therapies depend on the exact therapy you receive. Common side effects include:
- Bleeding from the nose or rectum
- Headaches
- Taste changes
- Skin changes or rash
- Tiredness
- Fever
- Abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea or diarrhea
- Joint pain
- Fatigue
- High blood pressure
- Protein in the urine
If your Fred Hutch team recommends targeted therapy, we’ll explain what to expect based on the medicine you’re getting and how to manage these side effects.
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.