Emerging drugs for cervical cancer

Alfonso Dueñas-Gonzalez1, Lucely Cetina, Jaime Coronel

  • 1Division of Clinical Research, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología-México (INCan), Mexico City, Mexico. alfonso_duenasg@yahoo.com

Abstract

Insights

Developing new treatments for advanced cervical cancer is crucial. Emerging therapies targeting HPV oncogenes show promise, but require further research for effective delivery and development of inhibitors.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Gynecologic Oncology
  • Cancer Therapeutics

Background:

  • Limited therapeutic options exist for advanced invasive cervical cancer.
  • Cervical cancer treatment has seen modest survival gains with cisplatin doublets and improved rates with chemoradiation for locally advanced disease.
  • Significant unmet needs remain in developing novel agents for late-stage cervical cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current achievements in cervical cancer treatment.
  • To highlight emerging therapeutic agents and their developmental phases.
  • To identify key molecular targets and future research directions for cervical cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Literature search on PubMed and related databases for cervical cancer information.
  • Review of current and emerging therapeutic agents.
  • Focus on agents in early and late phases of development.

Main Results:

  • Cisplatin doublets offer modest survival gains in advanced disease.
  • Chemoradiation improves survival in locally advanced cervical cancer.
  • Anti-VEGF and anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies are in late-phase development.
  • Numerous miscellaneous agents are in early development stages.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting HPV-E6/E7 oncogenes represents a promising strategy for cervical cancer.
  • Development of effective delivery systems for nucleic acid-based therapies is essential.
  • Further research is needed to develop small-molecule inhibitors targeting E6/E7 or related proteins.

Related Concept Videos

Cancer Vaccines01:30

Cancer Vaccines

Cancer treatment vaccines are a rapidly evolving field that offers a promising approach to immunotherapy. Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent diseases, cancer treatment vaccines are designed to treat existing cancers by stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted 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...
Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules01:15

Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo cycles of catastrophe and rescue. The microtubules play a central role in cell division by forming the spindle apparatus for segregating the chromosomes. This makes them ideal targets for regulating dividing cells in tumors and malignant cancer cells. Microtubule stabilizing drugs help stabilize the microtubule formation and promote its polymerization. Paclitaxel was the first microtubule stabilizing agent used as anticancer drug in chemotherapy...
Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules01:10

Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures and can be regulated by microtubule targeting agents (MTAs). Microtubule destabilizing drugs are a class of MTAs that destabilize and prevent microtubules' polymerization. Both natural and synthetic chemicals can be found under this class of drugs. Vincristine and vinblastine, two vinca alkaloids, and colchicine were among the first to be discovered. These drugs can affect cells in various ways, either by inducing a change in cell morphology, preventing...
Inhibition of Cdk Activity02:34

Inhibition of Cdk Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists01:27

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists

5-HT3 receptor antagonists, such as dolasetron, granisetron (Kytril), ondansetron (Zofran), and palonosetron (Axoli), are crucial in managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) and postoperative nausea. These drugs selectively block 5-HT3 receptors in the visceral vagal and spinal afferent nerves, chemoreceptor trigger zone, and the vomiting center. They have a rapid onset of action and can be given as a single dose before chemotherapy. Ondansetron and granisetron, in particular,...