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The convergent development of molecular-targeted drugs for cancer treatment and prevention

Scott M Lippman1, John V Heymach

  • 1Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030-4009, USA. slippman@mdanderson.org

Clinical Cancer Research : an Official Journal of the American Association for Cancer Research
|July 20, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Cancer research is blurring lines between prevention and therapy by identifying high-risk individuals. New trials integrating targeted agents and early detection aim to improve cancer prevention and treatment strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Advances in understanding multistep and field carcinogenesis challenge traditional distinctions between intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive neoplasia.
  • The ability to identify individuals at very high risk for cancer is creating common ground between cancer prevention and therapy strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the convergence of cancer prevention and therapy.
  • To leverage new molecular-targeted agents and early detection technologies for clinical trial design.
  • To facilitate targeted drug development and identify strategies for cancer prevention and treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Integration of prevention and therapy endpoints in clinical trial designs.
  • Utilizing new molecular-targeted agents.
  • Employing advanced screening and early detection technologies.

Main Results:

  • Emerging commonalities in prognostic/predictive markers, therapeutic agents, and patient-tolerable side effects.
  • New opportunities for clinical trial designs that bridge prevention and therapy.
  • Streamlined development of targeted drugs.

Conclusions:

  • The convergence of cancer therapy and prevention promises to enhance the development of targeted drugs.
  • Improved strategies for controlling major cancers are anticipated.
  • Clinical trials integrating therapy and prevention endpoints can accelerate progress in oncology.

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