Types:

Small compounds and monoclonal antibodies are the two most common types of targeted therapy.

Small molecular structures:

The following are some of the most notable examples: - Gleevec (imatinib mesylate) is a treatment for chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) and gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST). Gleevec (imatinib mesylate) is a drug that has been approved to treat chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) and gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST).

Gefitinib (Iressa) is a drug that targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is found on many cancer cells. It is approved in the United States for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Other solid tumours, such as lung and breast malignancies, have overexpressed EGFR as well. Bortezomib (Velcade) is an apoptosis-inducing medication that works by interfering with proteins to induce cancer cells to die. In the United States, it is licenced to treat multiple myeloma that has not responded to prior treatments.

Tamoxifen, a selective oestrogen receptor modulator, has been called the cornerstone of targeted therapy. Monoclonal antibodies are antibodies that are produced in a single cell.