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Targeted agents: the rules of combination

Eunice L Kwak1, Jeffrey W Clark, Bruce Chabner

  • 1Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA. ekwak@partners.org

Clinical Cancer Research : an Official Journal of the American Association for Cancer Research
|September 19, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Molecularly targeted agents (MTAs) show promise in cancer treatment. This review explores combining MTAs with other therapies to maximize effectiveness and presents FDA-approved options.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Drug Development

Background:

  • Molecularly targeted agents (MTAs) have transformed cancer therapy.
  • The efficacy of single-agent MTAs has spurred interest in combination strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved molecularly targeted agents.
  • To provide a framework for optimizing MTA combinations in cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of FDA-approved MTAs.
  • Analysis of existing data on MTA combinations.
  • Development of a conceptual framework for combination therapy.

Main Results:

  • An overview of currently available FDA-approved MTAs is presented.
  • Key considerations for combining different MTAs and conventional chemotherapies are outlined.

Conclusions:

  • Strategic combinations of MTAs hold potential for enhanced therapeutic effects in cancer.
  • A systematic approach is needed to guide the development of effective MTA combination regimens.

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