Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026

08:46
Implementation of In Vitro Drug Resistance Assays: Maximizing the Potential for Uncovering Clinically Relevant Resistance Mechanisms
Published on: December 9, 2015
Next generation oncology drug development: opportunities and challenges
Martin E Gutierrez1, Shivaani Kummar, Giuseppe Giaccone
1National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Nature Reviews. Clinical Oncology
|April 25, 2009
Summary
Developing new molecularly targeted cancer therapies requires rethinking current drug development. This review examines patient selection, dosing, response definition, and trial designs for early-phase oncology therapeutics.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Current cancer drug development faces challenges in optimizing novel molecularly targeted agents.
- Key areas of debate include patient selection, dosing strategies, and defining clinical benefit.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the opportunities and challenges in oncology drug development.
- To examine the early phases of clinical development, including first-in-human trials.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current practices and debates in early cancer therapeutics.
- Analysis of key considerations in oncology drug development.
Main Results:
- Identified critical areas for re-evaluation in the drug development paradigm.
- Highlighted the importance of patient selection, optimal biologic dose, and response definition.
Conclusions:
- Optimizing novel molecularly targeted cancer agents necessitates a revised drug development approach.
- Addressing trial design and early therapeutic considerations is crucial for advancing cancer treatment.
Related Concept Videos
Treatment Resistent Cancers
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
Targeted Cancer Therapies
The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Targeted Cancer Therapies
The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Treatment Resistant Cancers
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
Cancer
Cancers arise due to mutations in genes involved in the regulation of cell division, which leads to unrestricted cell proliferation. Modern science and medicine have made great strides in the understanding and treatment of cancer, including eradicating cancer in some patients. However, there is still no cure for cancer. This is largely due to the fact that cancer is a large group of many diseases.
Drug Discovery: Overview
Drug discovery is a multifaceted process involving extensive screening, testing, and optimization of lead compounds to identify potential new drugs for therapeutic use. It combines several approaches, including screening large numbers of natural products, chemical modification of known active molecules, identification of new drug targets, and rational design based on biological mechanisms and drug-receptor structure. These approaches are carried out in both academic research laboratories and...

