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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Anticancer Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy with Lung Cancer-Targeted Nanoparticles
Published on: December 1, 2016
Targeted therapy using novel agents in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer
1Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4095, USA. rherbst@mdanderson.org
Abstract:
Patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have a poor prognosis and high mortality. The therapeutic improvement caused by the new generation of cytotoxic agents seems to have reached a plateau. The main categories of targeted therapeutics applicable for NSCLC include receptor-targeted therapy, signal transduction or cell-cycle inhibition, angiogenesis inhibitors, gene therapy, and vaccines. Several major classes of agents directed at specific cellular mechanisms exist for the treatment of NSCLC. The anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) group contains trastuzumab and IMC-C225, monoclonal antibodies against EGFRs that are overexpressed in many cancers. OSI-774 and ZD1839 are inhibitors of EGFR tyrosine kinase, a key enzyme of the signaling pathway. Farnesyl transferase inhibitors, such as SCH66336, and protein kinase C inhibitors, such as ISIS 3521, have also shown antitumor activity. Antiangiogenesis agents that have shown promise include TNP-470, recombinant endostatin, and angiostatin. Antibodies to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) also seem to control tumor progression and may prolong survival. LY317615, an inhibitor of protein kinase Cb, augmented the tumor growth delay produced by cytotoxic drugs. All of these agents are in different phases of clinical testing and have shown encouraging activity as single agents or in combination with chemotherapy drugs. These new agents are more target specific, less toxic, easier to administer, and may lead to enhanced safety and survival for patients with advanced NSCLC.
Insights
New targeted therapies offer improved outcomes for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These agents are more specific, less toxic, and show promise alone or with chemotherapy, enhancing patient survival.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) presents a significant therapeutic challenge with limited treatment advancements.
- Current cytotoxic agents for NSCLC have reached a plateau in efficacy, necessitating novel treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and summarize the emerging classes of targeted therapeutics for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
- To highlight the potential of these novel agents in improving patient prognosis and survival rates.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on targeted therapies for NSCLC.
- Categorization of agents based on their mechanism of action: receptor-targeted therapy, signal transduction inhibition, angiogenesis inhibition, gene therapy, and vaccines.
- Summary of preclinical and clinical findings for key targeted agents.
Main Results:
- Several targeted agents, including anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapies (trastuzumab, IMC-C225, OSI-774, ZD1839), farnesyl transferase inhibitors (SCH66336), protein kinase C inhibitors (ISIS 3521, LY317615), and antiangiogenesis agents (TNP-470, endostatin, angiostatin, anti-VEGF antibodies), demonstrate antitumor activity.
- These agents are in various stages of clinical testing, showing promise as monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy.
- Encouraging activity suggests potential for enhanced safety and survival in advanced NSCLC patients.
Conclusions:
- Targeted therapeutics represent a promising frontier in advanced NSCLC treatment, offering greater specificity and reduced toxicity compared to traditional chemotherapy.
- These novel agents have the potential to overcome the limitations of current therapies and improve outcomes for patients with advanced NSCLC.
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