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Esophagogastric cancer: targeted agents

Geoffrey Y Ku1, David H Ilson

  • 1Ludwig Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.

Cancer Treatment Reviews
|February 4, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Targeted therapies show promise for advanced esophageal, gastroesophageal junction, and gastric cancers. This review covers pre-clinical data and clinical trials for agents targeting pathways like epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Locally advanced and metastatic esophageal, gastroesophageal junction, and gastric cancers have a poor prognosis.
  • Targeted therapies are increasingly being integrated into treatment regimens for these cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review pre-clinical data and the rationale for targeting specific molecular pathways in advanced gastrointestinal cancers.
  • To summarize the clinical trial results, including Phase III evaluations, of targeted agents.

Main Methods:

  • Review of pre-clinical studies investigating targeted pathways.
  • Summary of clinical trial data for targeted agents.
  • Analysis of completed and ongoing Phase III evaluations.

Main Results:

  • Several molecular targets are being investigated, including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and cell cycle regulators.
  • Pre-clinical data support the rationale for targeting these pathways.
  • Clinical trials are ongoing, with some Phase III evaluations completed.

Conclusions:

  • Targeted agents represent a promising approach to improve outcomes for patients with advanced esophageal, gastroesophageal junction, and gastric cancers.
  • Further clinical evaluation is crucial to establish the efficacy and safety of these targeted therapies.

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