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Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment that specifically targets and interferes with the molecules involved in the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, which affects all rapidly dividing cells, targeted therapies are designed to block the specific genetic mutations, proteins, or other factors that contribute to cancer.

There are different types of targeted therapies, including:

1. Monoclonal Antibodies: These are lab-made molecules that can mimic the immune system's ability to fight cancer. Some monoclonal antibodies bind to cancer cell proteins and mark them for destruction, while others block signals that tell the cancer cells to grow.

2. Small Molecule Inhibitors: These are drugs that can enter cells and interfere with molecules inside the cancer cells. They may inhibit the function of specific proteins involved in cancer cell growth, survival, or spread.

3. Immunotherapy: While not always considered a direct "targeted therapy," some immunotherapies use the body's immune system to target specific cancer cells, for example, through immune checkpoint inhibitors.

4. Gene Therapy: Some targeted therapies involve altering the genetic material within cancer cells to correct mutations or prevent the expression of genes that lead to cancer.

Targeted therapy is often used in combination with other treatments like chemotherapy or radiation. It can be more precise, causing less damage to normal, healthy cells compared to traditional therapies. However, its effectiveness depends on the type of cancer and the specific genetic changes in the tumor.