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Orthotopic Implantation and Peripheral Immune Cell Monitoring in the II-45 Syngeneic Rat Mesothelioma Model
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Moving beyond chemotherapy: novel cytostatic agents for malignant mesothelioma

Hedy L Kindler1

  • 1Department of Hematology/Oncology, Medical Center, University of Chicago, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC 2115, IL 60637-1470, USA. hkindler@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu

Lung Cancer (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
|July 21, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Targeting growth factors like VEGF, PDGF, and EGFR offers new mesothelioma treatment options. Clinical trials are evaluating several targeted therapies, including inhibitors for these key pathways.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Malignant mesothelioma exhibits autocrine growth factor signaling via vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF).
  • Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is significantly overexpressed in malignant mesothelioma.
  • Targeting these growth factors presents a promising therapeutic strategy for mesothelioma.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the potential of cytotoxic drugs targeting VEGF, PDGF, and EGFR for mesothelioma treatment.
  • To highlight ongoing and planned clinical trials evaluating inhibitors of these growth factors.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current research on growth factor roles in mesothelioma.
  • Identification of ongoing and planned clinical trials for targeted therapies.

Main Results:

  • Clinical trials are underway to assess VEGF inhibitors (SU5416, bevacizumab, thalidomide).
  • An epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (ZD1839/Iressa) is under evaluation.
  • Two clinical trials are planned for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) inhibitors (Gleevec, PTK787).

Conclusions:

  • Targeted therapies inhibiting VEGF, PDGF, and EGFR show potential for treating malignant mesothelioma.
  • The initiation of multiple clinical trials underscores the active investigation into these novel treatment approaches.

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