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Molecular targeted therapies in breast cancer: where are we now?

Christian Widakowich1, Evandro de Azambuja, Thierry Gil

  • 1Medical Oncology Clinic, Jules Bordet Institute, Rue Heger-Bordet 1, 1000 Brussels, Belgium.

The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology
|June 5, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Targeted cancer therapies, like trastuzumab, offer new ways to treat breast cancer (BC) by targeting specific molecules. These advanced treatments are now being studied for early-stage BC and future applications.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Targeted therapies represent a significant advancement in cancer treatment, focusing on specific molecular targets crucial for tumor growth.
  • Hormonal agents like tamoxifen have long utilized targeted therapy principles, with recent emphasis on novel biological agents.
  • Trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody, marked a milestone in advanced breast cancer (BC) treatment starting in 1998.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evolving role of molecular targeted therapies in breast cancer (BC).
  • To focus on targeted therapies currently under investigation for early-stage BC.
  • To discuss future perspectives in the application of targeted therapies for BC.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on targeted therapies in breast cancer.
  • Analysis of clinical trial data for targeted agents in advanced and early BC settings.
  • Discussion of the mechanisms of action for key targeted therapies like trastuzumab, bevacizumab, and lapatinib.

Main Results:

  • Several targeted therapies, including trastuzumab, bevacizumab, and lapatinib, demonstrate significant activity in advanced BC.
  • These therapies are increasingly being evaluated in the adjuvant setting for early BC.
  • Lapatinib functions as a dual inhibitor of HER-1 and HER-2.

Conclusions:

  • Molecular targeted therapies are playing an increasingly vital role in managing breast cancer.
  • Ongoing research is focused on leveraging these therapies in earlier stages of BC.
  • Future directions involve further refinement and application of targeted agents for improved BC outcomes.

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