Targeted therapies are changing the game for medicine, especially when it comes to treating cancer. These treatments are designed specifically for individual patients, making them more personal and effective. In fact, in 2021, about 60% of new cancer drugs approved by the FDA were targeted therapies. This shows a big move towards more tailored options for patients.

Here’s a closer look at what makes targeted therapies special:

1. How They Work:

   • Targeted therapies zoom in on specific parts of the disease. This helps to avoid harming healthy cells.
   • Some examples include monoclonal antibodies and small molecule inhibitors. These treatments focus on genetic changes that cause issues.

2. How Well They Work:

   • Targeted therapies can really boost the chances of success in treating cancer. For example, drugs that target the HER2 gene in breast cancer have helped improve survival rates by over 30%.
   • Research shows that patients with certain genetic changes respond 60% better to targeted treatments than to standard therapies.

3. Growing Market:

   • The market for targeted therapies is booming! It's expected to reach $162 billion by 2025, which means a lot of money is being invested to develop new treatments.

In summary, targeted therapies represent a big step towards more effective and personalized medicine. They're making a real difference in how we treat patients, especially in the field of cancer care.