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Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Assessment of Resistance to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors by an Interrogation of Signal Transduction Pathways by Antibody Arrays
Published on: September 19, 2018
Irreversible pan-ErbB tyrosine kinase inhibitors and breast cancer: current status and future directions
1Drug Development Program, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Canada M5G 2M9. alberto.ocana@uhn.on.ca
Abstract:
Aberrant activation of HER2 through overexpression has been shown to play an important role in some breast cancers. Therapies against this receptor including the monoclonal antibody, trastuzumab, or the small tyrosine kinase inhibitor, lapatinib have shown to improve the prognosis of such patients. Despite overexpressing HER2, some patients do not respond to these targeted treatments or progress after a short period of time. Irreversible tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been developed to bypass several pathways that could be involved in this resistance. In vitro, these agents have been shown to be more potent and to prolong target inhibition. Clinical development of these agents is ongoing and early results are promising. This review will describe the biologic rationale that justifies the development of these agents in breast cancer focusing on the current status and future directions.
Insights
New irreversible tyrosine kinase inhibitors show promise for HER2-positive breast cancer patients who do not respond to current therapies. These agents offer enhanced potency and prolonged inhibition, addressing resistance mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- HER2 overexpression drives certain breast cancers, making it a target for therapies like trastuzumab and lapatinib.
- Some patients with HER2-positive breast cancer exhibit resistance to existing targeted therapies, necessitating novel treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the biologic rationale for developing irreversible tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in breast cancer.
- To discuss the current status and future directions of irreversible TKIs for HER2-positive breast cancer.
Main Methods:
- Review of preclinical data on irreversible TKIs.
- Analysis of clinical trial data for irreversible TKIs in breast cancer.
Main Results:
- Irreversible TKIs demonstrate increased potency and prolonged HER2 inhibition in vitro.
- Early clinical data suggest promising outcomes for irreversible TKIs in breast cancer treatment.
Conclusions:
- Irreversible TKIs represent a promising therapeutic approach for overcoming resistance in HER2-positive breast cancer.
- Further clinical development is warranted to establish the role of irreversible TKIs in breast cancer treatment regimens.
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