TARGETED THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF STOMACH CANCER ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE DRUG "TRASTUZUMAB"
Stomach cancer is the most common type of tumor worldwide. Currently, various methods are used to treat this disease, including the use of targeted therapy. This is one of the priority directions of pharmacotherapy, which is based on blocking the growth of cancer cells necessary for carcinogenesis by interfering with the mechanism of action of specific target molecules. It is characterized by a directed effect on the cancer, its receptors, DNA and other structures, which leads to a slowdown in the further spread of metastases. This is the difference from other methods, for example, from chemotherapy, which affects the growth of all cells capable of rapid division. One of the drugs used in targeted therapy is Trastuzumab. It is a synthetic antitumor drug containing recombinant monoclonal antibodies that have activity against a membrane protein of the HER₂ tyrosine protein kinase type. The article demonstrates the use of this drug among cancer patients of the Lipetsk regional Oncological dispensary, analyzes the side effects, their number, strength of manifestation, as well as the spread among patients. It is noted that Trastuzumab combines efficacy with fewer side effects, which makes it a priority in prescribing for patients with HER2-positive tumor status.