Targeted cancer therapy--are the days of systemic chemotherapy numbered?
Won Duk Joo1, Irene Visintin, Gil Mor
1Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CHA Gangnam Medical Center, CHA University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Targeted therapy or molecular targeted therapy has been defined as a type of treatment that blocks the growth of cancer cells by interfering with specific cell molecules required for carcinogenesis and tumor growth, rather than by simply interfering with all rapidly dividing cells as with traditional chemotherapy. There is a growing number of FDA approved monoclonal antibodies and small molecules targeting specific types of cancer suggestive of the growing relevance of this therapeutic approach. Targeted cancer therapies, also referred to as "Personalized Medicine", are being studied for use alone, in combination with other targeted therapies, and in combination with chemotherapy. The objective of personalized medicine is the identification of patients that would benefit from a specific treatment based on the expression of molecular markers. Examples of this approach include bevacizumab and olaparib, which have been designated as promising targeted therapies for ovarian cancer. Combinations of trastuzumab with pertuzumab, or T-DM1 and mTOR inhibitors added to an aromatase inhibitor are new therapeutic strategies for breast cancer. Although this approach has been seen as a major step in the expansion of personalized medicine, it has substantial limitations including its high cost and the presence of serious adverse effects. The Cancer Genome Atlas is a useful resource to identify novel and more effective targets, which may help to overcome the present limitations. In this review we will discuss the clinical outcome of some of these new therapies with a focus on ovarian and breast cancer. We will also discuss novel concepts in targeted therapy, the target of cancer stem cells.
Insights
Targeted cancer therapy offers personalized treatment by targeting specific molecules, improving outcomes for ovarian and breast cancers. Despite limitations like cost and side effects, novel targets are being identified for more effective therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Targeted therapy, or molecular targeted therapy, inhibits cancer growth by interfering with specific molecules essential for carcinogenesis and tumor progression.
- This approach contrasts with traditional chemotherapy by focusing on specific cellular targets rather than broadly affecting rapidly dividing cells.
- The increasing number of FDA-approved monoclonal antibodies and small molecules highlights the growing significance of targeted therapies in cancer treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical outcomes of novel targeted therapies for ovarian and breast cancers.
- To discuss emerging concepts in targeted therapy, including targeting cancer stem cells.
- To explore the role of personalized medicine in identifying patients who will benefit from specific treatments based on molecular markers.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical outcomes for targeted therapies in ovarian and breast cancer.
- Discussion of novel targeted agents such as bevacizumab, olaparib, trastuzumab, pertuzumab, T-DM1, and mTOR inhibitors.
- Exploration of resources like The Cancer Genome Atlas for identifying new therapeutic targets.
Main Results:
- Bevacizumab and olaparib show promise as targeted therapies for ovarian cancer.
- Trastuzumab combinations (with pertuzumab or T-DM1) and mTOR inhibitors with aromatase inhibitors represent new therapeutic strategies for breast cancer.
- Targeted therapies, while advancing personalized medicine, face challenges including high costs and serious adverse effects.
Conclusions:
- Targeted therapy represents a significant advancement in personalized cancer treatment, particularly for ovarian and breast cancers.
- Continued research and resources like The Cancer Genome Atlas are crucial for identifying novel targets to overcome current limitations.
- Future directions include exploring new therapeutic strategies and targeting cancer stem cells for improved efficacy.
More Related Videos
10:27Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts
Published on: July 25, 2020
08:57Sample Extraction and Simultaneous Chromatographic Quantitation of Doxorubicin and Mitomycin C Following Drug Combination Delivery in Nanoparticles to Tumor-bearing Mice
Published on: October 5, 2017
Related Concept Videos
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
02:50Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
02:49Cancer Therapies
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy