What Are Targeted Therapies — and How Do They Differ from Chemotherapy?

TL;DR

• Chemotherapy kills all fast-growing cells — healthy and cancerous.
• Targeted therapies block specific mutations that fuel tumor growth.
• In brain cancer, many targeted drugs are still in trials — especially those designed to cross the blood–brain barrier.

What Are Targeted Therapies — and How Do They Differ from Chemo?

Chemotherapy has long been a cornerstone of cancer treatment because it attacks rapidly dividing cells. But it can't distinguish between cancer cells and the healthy cells that also divide quickly — like those in your hair, gut lining, or bone marrow. That's why chemo can cause side effects such as fatigue, nausea, or hair loss.

Targeted therapy works differently. Instead of going after every fast-growing cell, it's designed to block the specific biological changes that help cancer grow. These treatments focus on the tumor's unique DNA changes rather than its speed of growth.

To learn more about how targeted therapies fit into brain and spinal tumor care, the American Cancer Society offers an accessible overview.

How Targeted Therapy Works

Every tumor carries a set of molecular changes — mutations that act like "switches" cancer uses to survive, divide, or spread. Scientists can analyze a tumor to identify these switches, giving doctors clues about which treatments might work best.

A mutation is simply a specific change in a cancer cell's DNA that gives it an advantage. It might help the tumor grow faster, repair itself after treatment, or hide from the immune system. Targeted therapies are designed to block these switches, cutting off the signals cancer depends on.

Because they act on precise molecular pathways, targeted therapies can sometimes offer more precision and fewer side effects compared to chemotherapy.

Why This Matters in Brain Cancer

In brain cancers like glioblastoma, targeted therapies are still emerging — but they represent one of the most promising areas of research. Scientists are developing drugs that can cross the blood–brain barrier, block mutations found in certain tumor subtypes, or interrupt pathways that drive glioma growth.

Many of these treatments are being studied in clinical trials built specifically for the brain's unique environment. These trials are crucial for understanding how to safely and effectively use targeted approaches in GBM and other primary brain tumors.

Exploring Clinical Trials with PACT AI

For patients and caregivers, understanding whether targeted therapies might be relevant often starts with exploring clinical trials — especially those testing drugs designed to reach the brain and act on specific mutations.

PACT AI helps you find and interpret these options in clear, easy-to-follow language, making it easier to explore what may be possible for your diagnosis.

Learn more about how PACT AI can help →

Have questions? Reach out at contact@pact-ai.com.