Side effects of targeted therapies

In targeted therapies, side effects increase with the number of targets. This is in particular if the treatment affects the whole body, not only the tumor and surrounding tissues. An example is a therapy that blocks the formation of new blood vessels to “starve” the cancer.

Side effects include skin changes, high blood pressure, bleeding, blood clots and delayed wound healing (due to the inhibition of new blood vessel).

Targeted therapies can also be cardiotoxic (toxic to the heart). Patients need to have the heart checked prior to treatment, and then monitored every 3 months, up to 24 months after the medication stops.

Less common side effects are fever, weakness or cold-like symptoms, nausea, vomiting, coughing, diarrhea and headaches.

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