Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026
10:27
Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts
Published on: July 25, 2020
Targeting the tumor microenvironment with SRC kinase inhibition
Alicia S Chung1, Napoleone Ferrara
1Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
Summary
Dasatinib, a Src family kinase inhibitor, reduces tumor growth by targeting tumor-associated endothelial and myeloid cells. This approach broadens cancer therapy beyond tumor cells to the tumor microenvironment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Biology
- Tumor Microenvironment
Background:
- Traditional cancer therapies primarily target tumor cells.
- Emerging strategies focus on the tumor microenvironment (TME).
- The TME comprises various non-cancerous cells influencing tumor progression.
Discussion:
- Dasatinib, a Src family kinase inhibitor, demonstrates efficacy in decreasing tumor growth.
- This inhibition is achieved by targeting key TME components.
- Specifically, dasatinib affects tumor-associated endothelial cells and myeloid cells.
Key Insights:
- Targeting the TME is a viable therapeutic strategy.
- Src family kinases are critical regulators within the TME.
- Dasatinib effectively modulates TME cell functions to impede tumor growth.
Outlook:
- Further research into TME-targeting agents like dasatinib is warranted.
- Combination therapies involving TME modulators may enhance treatment outcomes.
- Developing therapies that target both tumor cells and the TME could overcome resistance mechanisms.
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