David Bartels, D.O.,
medical oncologist
Q
What are some recent devel-
opments in cancer treatment,
and how do I know if they are
a good option for me?
I am frequently asked about recent ad-
vances in therapies for cancer. Specifically,
patients often ask what targeted therapy, or
“smart” chemotherapy, is and whether it is
an option for them.
We live in an exciting time for cancer
treatment, as new and improved treatment
options are being developed and used every
day. In the medical oncology world, we
continue to cultivate a better understanding
L E A R N M O R E
David Bartels is Kootenai Clinic’s
newest medical oncologist. Learn
more at
KH.org/cancer
or call
(208) 625-4700
.
of cancer biology. Targeted therapy, or
“smart” chemotherapy, has started to
evolve along with this better understand-
ing of cancer biology. For example, driver
mutations are what drive normal cell growth
into unregulated, disorganized and inap-
propriate cell growth, or cancer. Targeted
therapy blocks these driver mutations and
driver pathways—preventing or eliminating
cancer growth.
I have experienced these new advance-
ments and therapies firsthand and have
seen great responses from patients, spe-
cifically in the treatment of glioblastoma,
melanoma, lung cancer, and chronic leuke-
mia and lymphoma. It has been remarkable
to see what targeted therapies can do for
patients. With drugs such as vemurafenib
for metastatic melanoma, ibrutinib for
chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and many
others, medical oncologists are seeing
previously stubborn cancers melt away.
Oncology is rapidly evolving and advanc-
ing. I am excited to be a part of the battle
against cancer and to bring my patients
the latest and greatest treatment options
available. Coeur d’Alene is a community
that spoke to my heart and soul in the same
way that medical oncology did years ago. I
feel blessed to join this community and am
excited to be a part of Kootenai Health’s
passion to bring the best medical oncology
services to northern Idaho.
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