Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 26, 2025
06:19
Author Spotlight: Exploring the Role of Ion Channels in Cancer: Characterization and Potential Treatment Approaches
Published on: June 16, 2023
3.7K
New Prospects for Molecular Targets for Chordomas
Mohammad Zeeshan Ozair1, Pavan Pinkesh Shah2, Dimitrios Mathios2
1Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Molecular Embryology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.
Neurosurgery Clinics of North America
|March 10, 2020
Summary
Chordomas are rare midline skeletal tumors. New molecular targeted therapies and immunotherapies show promise for managing these recurrent cancers by exploiting key molecular vulnerabilities.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Skeletal Tumors
- Molecular Pathology
Background:
- Chordomas are malignant, recurrent tumors originating from notochordal remnants along the midline skeleton.
- Effective systemic therapy is crucial for managing advanced and recurrent chordoma.
- Understanding chordoma pathogenesis is key to developing novel treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the major molecular pathways implicated in chordoma pathogenesis.
- To highlight molecular vulnerabilities that can be exploited for future therapies.
- To discuss the potential of targeted therapies and immunotherapies for chordoma.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on chordoma pathogenesis and treatment.
- Analysis of molecular pathways involved in chordoma development.
- Summary of ongoing clinical trials for targeted therapies and immunotherapies.
Main Results:
- Several molecular pathways are implicated in chordoma development.
- Molecular targeted therapies show promise in ongoing trials for mutated pathways.
- Immunotherapies, including brachyury vaccination and checkpoint inhibition, yield encouraging results.
Conclusions:
- Chordoma pathogenesis involves specific molecular pathways that present therapeutic vulnerabilities.
- Targeted therapies and immunotherapies represent promising avenues for chordoma treatment.
- Further research into molecular vulnerabilities will drive the development of effective systemic therapies for chordoma.
Related Concept Videos
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
8.6K
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...
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
8.6K
02:23Abnormal Proliferation
5.0K
Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
5.0K
02:07Tumor Progression
7.1K
Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
7.1K
01:26Targets for Drug Action: Overview
9.8K
Drugs target macromolecules to modify ongoing cellular processes. Primary drug targets include receptors, ion channels, transporters, and enzymes.
Receptors are either membrane-spanning or intracellular proteins, which upon binding a ligand, get activated and transmit the signal downstream to elicit a response. Drugs bind receptors, either mimicking the action of endogenous ligands or blocking the receptor activity to bring about a modified response. Nearly 35% of approved drugs target the G...
Receptors are either membrane-spanning or intracellular proteins, which upon binding a ligand, get activated and transmit the signal downstream to elicit a response. Drugs bind receptors, either mimicking the action of endogenous ligands or blocking the receptor activity to bring about a modified response. Nearly 35% of approved drugs target the G...
9.8K
01:27Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors
3.7K
Enzyme-linked receptors are cell-surface receptors acting as an enzyme or associating with an enzyme intracellularly. They make excellent drug targets. Drugs can bind to the extracellular ligand-binding domain or directly affect their enzymatic domain and alter their activity.
Major types that are helpful drug targets include:
Major types that are helpful drug targets include:
3.7K