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Next Generation Sequencing for the Detection of Actionable Mutations in Solid and Liquid Tumors
Published on: September 20, 2016
ErbBs in lung cancer
Sreenath V Sharma1, Jeffrey Settleman
1Center for Molecular Therapeutics, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, 149 13th Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA.
Abstract:
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, and advanced stage disease is largely refractory to conventional chemotherapy. Thus, there is an important need for alternative treatment strategies, and the ErbB proteins have emerged as potentially important therapeutic drug targets in this setting, apparently reflecting a state of "oncogene addiction" in some lung tumors. In this review, we discuss the recent identification of mutations that promote activation of ErbB family proteins in a subset of lung cancers, and the development of selective inhibitors of these proteins that have demonstrated clinical efficacy. We also discuss the problem of drug resistance, which severely limits the clinical utility of such agents, and has prompted intense efforts to better understand molecular mechanisms underlying drug resistance as well as strategies to overcome or prevent such resistance.
Insights
Targeting ErbB proteins offers new lung cancer treatments. However, drug resistance remains a challenge, necessitating further research into overcoming this limitation for advanced lung cancer therapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality globally.
- Advanced lung cancer often resists conventional chemotherapy.
- ErbB proteins are implicated in lung cancer growth, presenting therapeutic targets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of ErbB proteins in lung cancer.
- To discuss the development and efficacy of ErbB inhibitors.
- To explore mechanisms and strategies for overcoming drug resistance.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent research on ErbB proteins in lung cancer.
- Analysis of clinical data on ErbB-targeted therapies.
- Discussion of molecular mechanisms of drug resistance.
Main Results:
- Mutations activating ErbB family proteins are identified in lung cancer subsets.
- Selective ErbB inhibitors show clinical efficacy.
- Drug resistance significantly limits the clinical utility of these agents.
Conclusions:
- ErbB-targeted therapies represent a promising avenue for lung cancer treatment.
- Understanding and overcoming drug resistance is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
- Continued research is needed to develop durable therapeutic strategies.
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