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Targeted therapy in non-small-cell lung cancer
1Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA. rherbst@mail.mdanderson.org
Oncology (Williston Park, N.Y.)
|October 12, 2002
Summary
New targeted therapies show promise for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer, potentially shifting treatment paradigms beyond traditional chemotherapy. These agents may be combined with existing therapies or used in novel combinations.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Platinum-based chemotherapy has reached its therapeutic limit for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.
- New therapeutic strategies are needed to improve outcomes for non-small-cell lung cancer patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review emerging targeted therapies for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.
- To discuss the potential of these novel agents in clinical practice.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on targeted therapies.
- Discussion of specific targeted agents including EGFR inhibitors, angiogenesis inhibitors, and signal transduction inhibitors.
Main Results:
- Several targeted agents, including monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors, are in advanced clinical trials.
- These agents target specific biologic pathways involved in tumor development.
Conclusions:
- Targeted therapies represent a paradigm shift in non-small-cell lung cancer treatment.
- Combination therapies involving targeted agents, chemotherapy, or radiation are likely to be beneficial.
- Rational combinations of targeted therapies based on pathology may offer new treatment options.