Stomach Cancer: Targeted Therapy

What is targeted therapy?

Targeted therapy uses medicines that target certain parts of certain types of cancer cells. They interfere with a cancer cell's ability to grow and survive. The therapies are specific to each person's cancer.

Your cancer cells must be tested before targeted therapy is used. This is so the right medicine can be used. For instance, some people have HER2-positive stomach cancer. This means the cancer cells have too much HER2 protein. A medicine that targets the HER2 protein may work on this type of stomach cancer. But you may need a different medicine if your stomach cancer cells don't have a lot of HER2.

When might targeted therapy be used for stomach cancer?

Targeted therapy may be used along with chemotherapy for certain types of stomach cancer. It may also be used if other treatments stop working.

How is targeted therapy given for stomach cancer?

Most people get targeted therapy as outpatients at hospitals or clinics. You likely won’t need to stay overnight. The targeted therapy medicines used to treat stomach cancer are given in a vein through an IV (intravenous) line. They go into your blood and can kill cancer cells all over your body.

What types of targeted therapy are used to treat stomach cancer?

  • Trastuzumab. This medicine is used to treat advanced (later stage) stomach cancers that are HER-2 positive.

  • Ramucirumab. This medicine may be used to treat any type of stomach cancer if other treatments aren't working. It works by keeping the cancer cells from growing the new blood vessels they need to grow and spread.

What are common side effects of targeted therapy?

Targeted therapy can cause side effects. The side effects depend on the type of medicine you get. They tend to be less severe than side effects from chemotherapy.

Talk with your healthcare providers about what to expect. Side effects tend to occur while you’re getting targeted therapy. Once treatment ends, side effects slowly go away. Side effects may include:

  • Tiredness and weakness

  • Fever and chills

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • High blood pressure

  • Headaches

  • Cough

  • Diarrhea

Rare side effects include:

  • Heart damage

  • Bleeding

  • Blood clots

  • Healing problems

  • Holes forming in the stomach or intestine, which can lead to infection

Talk with your healthcare providers about any changes you notice or side effects you have. They may be able to help ease them or keep them from getting worse. Most side effects go away over time after treatment ends.

Working with your healthcare provider

It's important to know which medicines you're taking. Write down the names of all your medicines. Ask your healthcare team how they work and what side effects they might cause.



Related Doctors

View All Doctors
Current Location: {{address.formattedAddress}}

Sign up for our e-newsletter!
