Monoclonal antibodies against vascular endothelial growth factor and epidermal growth factor receptor in advanced colorectal cancers: present and future directions
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Published on: September 30, 2016
Naureen Starling1, David Cunningham
1Department of Medicine, Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton, Surrey, UK.
Purpose Of Review:
Targeted therapies are emerging as potentially important therapeutic interventions in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer. There have been considerable developments in this field within the past few years, with some agents entering the clinic and others soon to follow. Monoclonal antibodies against important tumorigenic targets have been in development for over a decade. Recently, cetuximab and bevacizumab have generated significant interest and are the focus of this review.
Recent Findings:
Cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody against the epidermal growth factor receptor, and bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor, have now been subject to rigorous assessment within several clinical studies, including a large randomized phase II study of cetuximab and a randomized phase III study of bevacizumab. The demonstration of efficacy and safety with these agents has led to the issue of licenses for cetuximab in Switzerland and bevacizumab in the United States.
Summary:
These results have led to a rapid expansion of further studies to define the role of these antibodies and to aid their future integration with conventional approaches for the management of advanced colorectal cancer.
Insights
New targeted therapies, including monoclonal antibodies like cetuximab and bevacizumab, show promise for advanced colorectal cancer treatment. Further studies are underway to integrate these effective agents into standard care.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Targeted therapies represent a significant advancement in treating advanced colorectal cancer.
- Monoclonal antibodies targeting specific tumorigenic pathways have been under development for over a decade.
- Cetuximab and bevacizumab have recently garnered substantial clinical interest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the emerging role of targeted therapies, specifically monoclonal antibodies, in advanced colorectal cancer.
- To focus on cetuximab and bevacizumab as key agents in this therapeutic area.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical studies assessing cetuximab and bevacizumab.
- Inclusion of data from a randomized phase II study of cetuximab.
- Inclusion of data from a randomized phase III study of bevacizumab.
Main Results:
- Cetuximab, an epidermal growth factor receptor antibody, and bevacizumab, a vascular endothelial growth factor antibody, demonstrated efficacy and safety.
- Regulatory licenses have been issued for cetuximab (Switzerland) and bevacizumab (United States) based on study outcomes.
Conclusions:
- The positive results necessitate further research to fully define the role of these antibodies.
- Integration of these monoclonal antibodies with conventional treatments is a key future direction for advanced colorectal cancer management.
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