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Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cancer Drug Sensitization In Vitro and In Vivo
09:19

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cancer Drug Sensitization In Vitro and In Vivo

Published on: February 6, 2015

Molecular targets for cancer chemoprevention

William N William1, John V Heymach, Edward S Kim

  • 1Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.

Nature Reviews. Drug Discovery
|February 28, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Cancer chemoprevention successes include vaccines against hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus. Further research into molecular targets aims to expand and personalize cancer prevention strategies for broader clinical application.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Preventive Medicine
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are risk factors for hepatocellular and cervical cancers, respectively.
  • Vaccines targeting HBV and HPV represent significant achievements in clinical cancer chemoprevention.
  • Molecularly targeted agents have demonstrated potential in preventing specific cancers like breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current state of clinical cancer chemoprevention.
  • To highlight successes and limitations in translating chemoprevention strategies to clinical practice.
  • To emphasize the future potential of molecular targets in expanding and personalizing cancer prevention.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of established cancer chemoprevention strategies.
  • Analysis of molecularly targeted agents used in cancer prevention.
  • Discussion of the challenges and future directions in clinical chemoprevention research.

Main Results:

  • Vaccines for HBV and HPV are recognized as major clinical cancer chemoprevention successes.
  • Specific molecularly targeted agents (raloxifene, tamoxifen, celecoxib, finasteride) show efficacy in preventing certain cancers or pre-cancerous conditions.
  • Broad clinical translation of chemoprevention remains a challenge, despite demonstrated successes.

Conclusions:

  • Cancer chemoprevention has achieved notable successes, particularly with vaccines against viral oncogenesis.
  • Molecularly targeted agents offer promising avenues for preventing various cancers.
  • Continued research into molecular targets is crucial for expanding the scope and personalizing cancer chemoprevention for wider clinical adoption.

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