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Targeted therapies for the treatment of cancer
1Department of General Surgery and Center for Cancer Drug Discovery and Development, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Desk A80, 9500 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. kimj@ccf.org
Background:
In contrast to conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy and radiation therapy, a new method of targeted cancer therapeutics is being directed towards molecular pathways that underlie the malignant phenotype. These therapies target specific tumor cell receptors or signaling events that are critical to tumor progression while reducing toxicity to normal cells.
Data Sources:
The purpose of this review is to highlight several examples of novel targeted therapeutics that are currently approved by the FDA for treatment of patients with cancer. Rituxan is a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to the CD20 antigen present on B cell lymphomas and is currently approved for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory low-grade CD20 positive follicular lymphoma. The humanized anti-HER-2/neu herceptin is approved for use in patients with metastatic breast cancer that demonstrates overexpression of HER-2/neu. Finally, Gleevec is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that inhibits abl-specific phosphorylation and is approved for use in select patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia that is refractory to interferon therapy.
Conclusions:
The lessons learned from the use of these therapeutics will add to the growing knowledge of mechanistic approaches to the treatment of patients with cancer based upon targeted therapies, and herald a bright future that will improve the lives of patients with cancer.
Insights
Targeted cancer therapies offer a new approach by focusing on specific molecular pathways, unlike traditional chemotherapy. These novel treatments, including Rituxan, Herceptin, and Gleevec, show promise for improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Conventional cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy have limitations.
- Targeted cancer therapeutics represent a novel approach by focusing on molecular pathways driving cancer growth.
- These therapies aim to reduce toxicity to normal cells by targeting specific tumor cell receptors or signaling events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review several examples of novel targeted therapeutics approved by the FDA for cancer treatment.
- To highlight the mechanisms and applications of these innovative treatments.
Main Methods:
- Review of FDA-approved targeted cancer therapeutics.
- Description of specific examples: Rituxan, Herceptin, and Gleevec.
- Explanation of their molecular targets and approved indications.
Main Results:
- Rituxan (anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody) is approved for CD20-positive B cell lymphomas.
- Herceptin (anti-HER-2/neu antibody) is approved for HER-2/neu-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer.
- Gleevec (tyrosine kinase inhibitor) is approved for specific cases of chronic myelogenous leukemia.
Conclusions:
- The use of these targeted therapies expands knowledge of mechanistic cancer treatment approaches.
- These targeted therapies hold promise for improving the lives of cancer patients.
- Continued research into targeted therapies will advance cancer treatment strategies.