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.
Abstract:
Although most cancer therapies are directed against tumor cells, an emerging area of cancer therapeutics focuses on targeting cells of the tumor microenvironment. Inhibiting the Src family kinase with dasatinib decreases tumor growth through inhibiting growth of tumor-associated endothelial and myeloid cells.
Insights
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.
Related Concept Videos
02:57Targeted 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...
02:57Targeted 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...
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
03:03mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
The mTOR pathway or the...
02:38Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...