[Impact of oncologic therapeutic concepts 2004]

The change of therapeutic concepts in oncology in the last few years is demonstrated in many examples like: influence on cell surface receptors, signal transduction, inactivation of oncogenes, activation of tumor suppressor genes, induction of apoptosis and inhibition of degradation of intracellular peptides. Therapeutic targets have become more specific in the last years using the results of experimental laboratories for clinical application. Unfortunately, however, only very few oncologic ailments can be influenced substantially so far. This may be explained by the hypothesis that the mechanisms of tumor growth can fluctuate--adaptation of tumor cell growth to the Controlling molecular biologic pattern may thus be the concequence. Finally we have to admit that in spite of all our efforts our methodology is still not precise enough (well illustrated by the example of the effectivity of Gefitinib) to reach our therapeutic goal--constant inhibition of tumor growth.