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Targeted therapy for epithelial ovarian cancer
1Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute Buffalo, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA.
Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets
|June 14, 2005
Summary
Targeted therapy offers a promising strategy to minimize recurrence in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) after initial treatment. Research focuses on identifying specific molecular targets to improve patient outcomes and survival rates.
Area of Science:
- Gynecologic Oncology
- Translational Cancer Research
- Molecular Oncology
Background:
- Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a leading cause of death among gynecological malignancies, with poor survival rates for advanced stages.
- Most patients with advanced EOC experience disease recurrence after initial treatment, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of targeted therapy as a consolidation strategy to minimize recurrence in epithelial ovarian cancer.
- To identify and investigate novel molecular targets and pathways crucial for EOC cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and apoptosis prevention.
Main Methods:
- Investigating innovative targeted therapy approaches to control metastatic residual EOC.
- Reviewing potential targeted therapies including proapoptotic therapy, suicide gene therapy, signal transduction inhibitors, antiangiogenesis agents, immunotherapy, and cytokine therapy.
Main Results:
- EOC presents an attractive target due to its biological characteristics and propensity for peritoneal metastasis.
- Several molecular targets and pathways essential for cancer cell survival and progression have been identified for therapeutic intervention.
Conclusions:
- Targeted therapy, particularly as consolidation after complete response to standard regimens, represents a crucial paradigm for improving outcomes in epithelial ovarian cancer.
- Well-coordinated, discovery-oriented translational research through clinical trials is essential to evaluate the efficacy of targeted strategies and combinations for clinical benefit.