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The role of targeted therapy for gastrointestinal tumors

Christian Rolfo1, Giuseppe Bronte, Giovanni Sortino

  • 1Oncology Department, University Hospital Antwerp UZA, University of Antwerp, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650, Antwerp, Belgium.

Expert Review of Gastroenterology & Hepatology
|June 25, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Targeted therapies are advancing gastrointestinal cancer treatment. This review covers current drugs and emerging strategies for personalized medicine in digestive system tumors.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Targeted therapies are crucial in managing gastrointestinal (GI) cancers.
  • Several targeted agents are approved for metastatic colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and neuroendocrine tumors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of current targeted therapies for GI cancers.
  • To highlight emerging strategies in personalized treatment approaches for GI tumors.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of targeted drugs in GI cancer treatment.
  • Analysis of approved therapies and ongoing preclinical/clinical development.

Main Results:

  • Established targeted drugs include anti-VEGF, anti-EGFR agents, regorafenib, trastuzumab, sorafenib, sunitinib, and everolimus.
  • Numerous novel targeted agents are currently in development.

Conclusions:

  • Personalized treatment strategies are evolving for GI cancers.
  • Continued research into targeted therapies promises improved outcomes for patients with digestive system tumors.
Keywords:
colorectal cancergastric cancergastrointestinal tumorshepatocellular carcinomaneuroendocrine tumorstargeted therapy

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