Treatment choices, side effects and medical care: Biological therapies for lung cancer
Biological therapies for lung cancer
Biological or immuno-therapies are derived from, or target substances that occur naturally in the body. They have been designed or modified in the laboratory to target and destroy particular types of cancer cells. There are different types of biological therapy, including: monoclonal antibodies, cancer growth inhibitors, vaccines and gene therapy.
Several types of biological therapy are now used to treat advanced lung cancer. They include erlotinib (Tarceva), gefitinib (Iressa), cetuximab (Erbitux), and bevacizumab (Avastin).
Erlotinib (Tarceva) and gefitinib (Iressa) are c
ancer growth inhibitors. C
ancer growth inhibitors interfere with the way cancer cells use 'chemical messengers' to help the cell to develop and divide. For more information see Macmillan Cancer Support or Cancerhelp.
Cetuximab (Erbitux) and bevacizumab (Avastin) are monoclonal antibodies which are drugs that
can 'recognise' and find specific cells in the body. Monoclonal antibodies can be designed to find a particular type of cancer cell, attach itself to them and destroy them. They can also be designed to carry a radioactive molecule, which then delivers radiation directly to the cancer cells.
For more information see Macmillan Cancer Support or Cancerhelp.
Research is also looking at whether vaccines and gene therapy can be used to treat lung cancer,
but this type of research is in the very early stages. For more information see
Macmillan Cancer Support or Cancerhelp.
We have not yet been able to interview anyone who has cetuximab (Erbitux), and bevacizumab (Avastin) for lung cancer. If you have had this type of treatment and you would like us to include your story on this website, please write to:
Research Delivery Project Manager,
Health Experiences Research Group,
Department of Primary Health Care,
University of Oxford,
23-38 Hythe Bridge Street, Oxford
OX1 2ET
