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Utilizing 18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging and Quantitative Histology to Measure Dynamic Changes in the Glucose Metabolism in Mouse Models of Lung Cancer
Published on: July 21, 2018
Farletuzumab for NSCLC: exploiting a well-known metabolic pathway for a new therapeutic strategy
Giuseppe Bronte1, Francesca Lo Vullo, Gianfranco Pernice
1University of Palermo, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences , Palermo , Italy.
Abstract:
Introduction: The therapeutic options for NSCLC are limited barring targeted drugs, such as EGFR tyrosine-kinase inhibitors and anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors, for patients bearing oncogenic mutations. Platinum-based chemotherapy remains the best strategy for most patients. New targeted drugs, including mAbs and small molecules, are currently under clinical investigation for treating NSCLC patients. Areas covered: The authors of this article focus on farletuzumab , a mAb targeting folate receptor, which has been studied in ovarian cancer and various other malignancies. In this review, the authors review its potential as therapy for NSCLC, because of the biological rationale provided by the expression of folate receptor α in most of lung adenocarcinoma. The authors provide details of farletuzumab's mechanism of action and discuss the results from completed Phase I and Phase II clinical trials. They also highlight ongoing trials. Expert opinion: There are an increasing number of treatment options for NSCLC and it is hoped that farletuzumab could be added to them. That being said, further evidence for its use with NSCLC patients is still needed. It could have a synergic effect with pemetrexed, because these two drugs have a similar target, namely the folate pathway. This combined action could provide an improved efficacy, although there are some concerns about increased toxicity. However, the authors do note that the combination of farletuzumab with other cytotoxic drugs has not been shown to increase toxicity alone.
Insights
Farletuzumab, a novel antibody therapy, shows promise for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by targeting folate receptor alpha. Further research is needed to confirm its efficacy and safety in NSCLC patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment options are limited, with chemotherapy and targeted therapies for specific mutations being primary strategies.
- Farletuzumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting folate receptor, has demonstrated efficacy in other malignancies.
- Folate receptor alpha is expressed in a significant portion of lung adenocarcinoma, suggesting a potential therapeutic target.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the potential of farletuzumab as a therapeutic agent for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
- To discuss the mechanism of action, clinical trial results, and ongoing investigations of farletuzumab in NSCLC.
Main Methods:
- Review of preclinical data and clinical trial outcomes (Phase I and II) for farletuzumab.
- Analysis of folate receptor alpha expression in lung adenocarcinoma.
- Discussion of potential synergistic effects with other chemotherapeutic agents like pemetrexed.
Main Results:
- Farletuzumab targets folate receptor alpha, which is expressed in most lung adenocarcinomas.
- Phase I and II clinical trials have provided initial data on farletuzumab's safety and efficacy.
- Potential synergistic effects with pemetrexed due to shared targeting of the folate pathway were observed, alongside toxicity considerations.
Conclusions:
- Farletuzumab represents a potential new targeted therapy for NSCLC, particularly lung adenocarcinoma.
- Further clinical evidence is required to establish the role of farletuzumab in NSCLC treatment.
- Combination therapy with farletuzumab and pemetrexed may offer improved efficacy but requires careful toxicity monitoring.
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