Monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of lung cancer

G Egri1, A Takáts

  • 1Department of Thoracic Surgery, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Hospital, 89-91 Maglódi Street, Budapest 1106, Hungary. rgriga@freemail.hu

Abstract

Insights

Monoclonal antibodies offer hope for lung cancer therapy, with immunoconjugates and anti-idiotype vaccines showing promise. Further research is needed to compare diverse treatment phases and optimize outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunotherapy
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Lung cancer remains an aggressive disease with limited conventional therapy success.
  • There is a critical need for novel therapeutic strategies to improve patient survival and quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the literature on monoclonal antibodies for tumor therapy, with a specific focus on lung cancer.
  • To identify promising monoclonal antibody-based approaches for lung cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive literature search of PubMed was conducted for articles published over the past 30 years.
  • Indexed articles focused on monoclonal antibodies in tumor and lung cancer therapy were reviewed, screened, and data were systematized.

Main Results:

  • Over 200 articles were identified, with a focus on pre-clinical and clinical investigations of monoclonal antibodies in lung cancer.
  • Anti-growth factor antibodies show objective effects but are not yet definitive cures. Immunoconjugates and anti-idiotype vaccines are identified as highly promising.

Conclusions:

  • Monoclonal antibody-based immunotherapy holds significant potential for lung cancer treatment.
  • Active immunization (anti-idiotype vaccines) and antibody targeting (immunoconjugates) are the most promising modalities.
  • Further research is essential to compare diverse treatment phases and explore novel antibody-based strategies like prodrug activation and T cell activation.

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...