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Recent clinical developments and rationale for combining targeted agents in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

C P Belani1, G Goss, G Blumenschein

  • 1Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, 500 University Drive, CH72, Hershey, PA 17033, USA. cbelani@psu.edu

Cancer Treatment Reviews
|July 1, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Novel targeted agents offer improved outcomes for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Combining agents targeting pathways like VEGFR and EGFR shows promise, but further research is needed for optimal patient selection and dosing.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Chemotherapy is the standard for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
  • Novel targeted agents are being evaluated to improve patient outcomes.
  • Targeted agents inhibit key signaling pathways like VEGFR, PDGFR, EGFR, and IGF-IR.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the rationale for combining targeted agents in advanced NSCLC.
  • To explore combinations inhibiting multiple signaling pathways.
  • To highlight the need for further investigation into optimal combinations and dosing.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of targeted agents and combination therapies in NSCLC.
  • Analysis of signaling pathways implicated in NSCLC progression.
  • Examination of preclinical and clinical data on targeted agent combinations.

Main Results:

  • Targeted agents inhibiting VEGFR, PDGFR, and EGFR are central to current research.
  • Combinations such as VEGFR + EGFR and VEGFR + PDGFR + EGFR are under investigation.
  • Identifying optimal combinations and doses requires further study.

Conclusions:

  • Combining targeted agents is a promising strategy for advanced NSCLC.
  • Further research is crucial to define patient subgroups and optimal treatment regimens.
  • Achieving the best therapeutic index necessitates careful selection and dosing of combination therapies.

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