Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) fall under which class of treatment?

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are classified under biotherapy because they specifically target cellular pathways involved in the growth and proliferation of cancer cells. Unlike conventional chemotherapy, which indiscriminately attacks rapidly dividing cells, TKIs are designed to interrupt the signaling process that cancer cells use to multiply and survive. They are a form of targeted therapy that can lead to improved outcomes while minimizing damage to normal tissues compared to conventional chemotherapy.

In the context of treatment, biotherapy encompasses a range of agents that modulate the body’s immune response or target specific cancer characteristics, making it distinct from other treatment modalities like radiation therapy, which primarily focuses on damaging DNA to kill cancer cells, or hormonal therapy that involves altering hormone levels in the body.