Some of the most promising treatments for cancer are targeted therapies. Use information from credible websites to explain how targeted cancer therapies differ from traditional chemotherapies, and describe why these therapies are an advancement in medicinal chemistry.

Chemotherapy drugs destroy cells that grow and divide rapidly. However, in addition to the cancer cells that replicate rapidly, they also kill normal, healthy body cells in the hair and skin causing significant side effects. Targeted therapies are an advancement in medicinal chemistry because they specifically target cancer cells, which will reduce damage to healthy cells. Also, some targeted therapies may be less toxic on the body overall, even though side effects still occur.