Targeted therapies are specific class of drugs that attack cancer cells by interfering with certain molecules or components (such as proteins or enzymes) that the cancer cells need to grow. These drugs can target cancer cells because they aim for cells with a specific genetic mutation or unique characteristic that is found only in the cancer cells and not in healthy ones.
One type of targeted therapy blocks a protein that tumors use to form new blood vessels to get the nutrients they need to grow. These drugs are called angiogenesis inhibitors. One targeted drug used for advanced cervical cancer, bevacizumab (Avastin), blocks the protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Blocking VEGF, or stopping VEGF from working, helps prevent the formation of new blood vessels to the tumor, and helps to starve the tumor of nutrients it needs to grow.