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Novel agents on the horizon for cancer therapy
1Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA.
Abstract:
Although cancer remains a devastating diagnosis, several decades of preclinical progress in cancer biology and biotechnology have recently led to successful development of several biological agents that substantially improve survival and quality of life for some patients. There is now a rich pipeline of novel anticancer agents in early phase clinical trials. The specific tumor and stromal aberrancies targeted can be conceptualized as membrane-bound receptor kinases (HGF/c-Met, human epidermal growth factor receptor and insulin growth factor receptor pathways), intracellular signaling kinases (Src, PI3k/Akt/mTOR, and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways), epigenetic abnormalities (DNA methyltransferase and histyone deacetylase), protein dynamics (heat shock protein 90, ubiquitin-proteasome system), and tumor vasculature and microenvironment (angiogenesis, HIF, endothelium, integrins). Several technologies are available to target these abnormalities. Of these, monoclonal antibodies and small-molecule inhibitors have been the more successful, and often complementary, approaches so far in clinical settings. The success of this target-based cancer drug development approach is discussed with examples of recently approved agents, such as bevacizumab, erlotinib, trastuzumab, sorafenib, and bortezomib. This review also highlights the pipeline of rationally designed drugs in clinical development that have the potential to impact clinical care in the near future.
Insights
Advancements in cancer biology have yielded targeted biological agents, improving patient survival. A robust pipeline of novel anticancer drugs is in clinical trials, offering future treatment potential.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biotechnology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cancer remains a significant health challenge, despite decades of research.
- Recent progress in cancer biology and biotechnology has led to effective biological agents.
- A growing pipeline of novel anticancer drugs is advancing through clinical trials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the progress in targeted cancer drug development.
- To discuss the molecular targets and technologies used in novel anticancer agents.
- To highlight approved and investigational targeted therapies.
Main Methods:
- Review of preclinical and clinical research in cancer biology and biotechnology.
- Identification of key molecular targets including receptor kinases, intracellular signaling kinases, epigenetic abnormalities, protein dynamics, and tumor microenvironment.
- Analysis of therapeutic technologies such as monoclonal antibodies and small-molecule inhibitors.
Main Results:
- Several biological agents have significantly improved survival and quality of life for some cancer patients.
- Approved targeted therapies include bevacizumab, erlotinib, trastuzumab, sorafenib, and bortezomib.
- Numerous rationally designed drugs are in clinical development, showing promise for future cancer treatment.
Conclusions:
- Target-based drug development has proven successful in oncology.
- Monoclonal antibodies and small-molecule inhibitors are key technologies in this approach.
- The pipeline of novel anticancer agents holds significant potential to impact future clinical care.
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