[New drugs in bronchial cancer]

MODEST RESULTS TILL NOW: Despite progress in the treatment of bronchial cancer (BC) over the last 20 years, notably with platinum-based chemotherapy, results in terms of survival have been modest and prognosis of the tumor generally remains unfavorable. CLASSICAL CHEMOTHERAPY: In non-small cell BC, 5 new cytotoxic agents: vinorelbine (a new mitotic inhibitor), gemcitabine (an antimetabolic), docetaxel and paclitaxel (of the taxane family), irinotecan (DNA repair enzyme inhibitor) have shown interesting results. In small cell BC, among the new cytotoxics, only topoisomerase I inhibitors represented by irinotecan and topotecan are really interesting. Taxanes appear rather disappointing. ONGOING CLINICAL ASSESSMENT OF NEW MOLECULES: Exploration of new drugs is an absolute priority. In parallel with the development of new traditional cytotoxics (trapazamin, oxaliplatin, ALIMTA a new antifolate, UFT and epothilone); studies on agents with biological or molecular effects: thyroxin-kinase inhibitors, trastuzumab--a monoclonal antibody--a metalloprotease inhibitor and marimastat are presently ongoing.