Science and Mechanism of Action of Targeted Therapies in Cancer Treatment

ObjectivesTo identify common signaling pathways that control cancer growth and discuss the mechanism of action of cancer targeted therapies.Data SourcesMedical and nursing literature, research articles, published clinical guidelines.ConclusionUnderstanding the signaling pathways and genetic mutations that control cancer cell growth elucidates an understanding of the mechanism of targeted therapies.Implications for Nursing PracticeTo understand the mechanism of action of targeted therapies, oncology nurses must first be familiar with the most common signaling pathways. Adding to this foundation, the nurse can easily learn about the classes of targeted therapies and the strategies to minimize and manage common side effects.