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Current and emerging targeted therapies for metastatic breast cancer
Edith A Perez1, Jean-Philippe Spano
1Division of Hematology and Oncology, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida 32224, USA. perez.edith@mayo.edu
Abstract:
The success of endocrine therapies for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer and trastuzumab and lapatinib for targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive tumors has paved the way for the clinical development of several other metastatic breast cancer (MBC)-targeted therapies. Although the benefit of the anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) monoclonal antibody bevacizumab in the MBC setting has become a topic of debate, clinical trial results are accumulating, and phase 3 evaluations are ongoing for newer HER2-targeted agents (pertuzumab and trastuzumab-maytansine immunoconjugate) and VEGF-targeted agents (aflibercept), as well as dual, epidermal growth factor receptor/HER2-targeted agents (afatinib [BIBW 2992] and neratinib), multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (sunitinib and pazopanib), and mammalian target of rapamycin (everolimus) and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 inhibitors (iniparib, olaparib). These agents as well as other novel classes of anticancer agents are being tested in clinical trials with the potential of addressing unmet therapeutic needs in the MBC patient population.
Insights
New targeted therapies are emerging for metastatic breast cancer (MBC), building on successes in hormone receptor-positive and HER2-positive subtypes. Clinical trials are evaluating agents targeting VEGF, HER2, and other pathways to address unmet needs.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Medical Science
Background:
- Hormone receptor-positive and HER2-positive breast cancers have seen success with targeted therapies.
- This has spurred development of new treatments for metastatic breast cancer (MBC).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical development of novel targeted therapies for MBC.
- To highlight agents targeting VEGF, HER2, and other pathways.
Main Methods:
- Review of accumulating clinical trial data.
- Focus on ongoing phase 3 evaluations of new agents.
Main Results:
- Several novel agents are in late-stage clinical trials.
- These include new HER2-targeted, VEGF-targeted, and multitargeted agents.
- Dual-action agents and inhibitors of mTOR and PARP1 are also under investigation.
Conclusions:
- Ongoing clinical trials are evaluating a range of novel targeted therapies for MBC.
- These agents hold potential for addressing unmet therapeutic needs in MBC patients.
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