Immunotherapy vs Targeted Therapy: How They Compare
Both immunotherapy and targeted therapy are important tools in cancer treatment. They work differently and are often used for different situations or combined for stronger effect. Here is how they compare.
| Immunotherapy | Targeted Therapy | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Cancer cells hide from your immune system by expressing PD-L1, which tells T-cells to stand down. Checkpoint inhibitors block this signal, allowing T-… | Tumour tissue (from biopsy) or blood (liquid biopsy) is tested for specific mutations. Results guide drug selection. Without testing, targeted therapy… |
| Administration | IV infusion every 2-3 weeks, taking 30-60 minutes. Given as daycare. No pre-medication nausea prophy… | Many targeted drugs are oral pills taken daily at home. Others (like trastuzumab, bevacizumab) are I… |
| Cost range | INR 80,000-1,20,000 per dose | Biosimilar INR 20,000-25,000/dose; branded INR 60,000-80,000 |
| Duration | Typically continued for up to 2 years if responding. Some patients achieve complete remission and st… | Most cancers eventually develop resistance to targeted therapy. When this happens, re-biopsy or liqu… |
Many patients receive both immunotherapy and targeted therapy at different points in their treatment. The choice depends on your cancer type, stage, biomarker results, and overall health. Your oncologist will recommend the right approach for your specific situation.
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