Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a systematic review of the substantial and growing body of emerging market (EM) research. Through assessing the literature an organizing framework is formed to support a nuanced basis for future research and management decisions in EMs. Design/methodology/approach Following guidelines of seminal authors, the authors conduct a systematic review involving both leading field-specific and top-tier international business journals. Findings The empirical context of the literature is outlined showing dominance of studies involving China and India. Seminal contributions are identified based on cross-references in the EM field and citations in international business literature in general. The definitional elements of the most dominant definitions are compiled into an organizing framework. Research limitations/implications Researchers need to acknowledge the distinct contextual setting of specific regions and countries labeled as EMs. This entails considerations into the capacity of current frameworks to lend insights not just on EM contexts but the particular EM context in focus. Practical implications The findings suggest a more nuanced approach to managing activities in EM contexts. The proposed framework encloses the EM category on its distinct dimensions. Each provides a unique basis for managerial decision-making on specified EM activities. Originality/value This paper provides the first systematic review of the ever-growing body of EM research literature to map and assess the existing intellectual territory. Through this, the authors contribute to the development of the existing body of knowledge and form a solid basis for future research.

<div>Abstract<p><b>Purpose:</b> Insulin-like growth factor receptor 1 (IGF-1R) is critically involved in pancreatic cancer pathophysiology, promoting cancer cell survival and therapeutic resistance. Assessment of IGF-1R inhibitors in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy, however, failed to demonstrate significant clinical benefit. The aim of this work is to unravel mechanisms of resistance to IGF-1R inhibition in pancreatic cancer and develop novel strategies to improve the activity of standard-of-care therapies.</p><p><b>Experimental Design:</b> Growth factor screening in pancreatic cancer cell lines was performed to identify activators of prosurvival PI3K/AKT signaling. The prevalence of activating growth factors and their receptors was assessed in pancreatic cancer patient samples. Effects of a bispecific IGF-1R and ErbB3 targeting antibody on receptor expression, signaling, cancer cell viability and apoptosis, spheroid growth, and <i>in vivo</i> chemotherapy activity in pancreatic cancer xenograft models were determined.</p><p><b>Results:</b> Growth factor screening in pancreatic cancer cells revealed insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and heregulin (HRG) as the most potent AKT activators. Both growth factors reduced pancreatic cancer cell sensitivity to gemcitabine or paclitaxel in spheroid growth assays. Istiratumab (MM-141), a novel bispecific antibody that blocks IGF-1R and ErbB3, restored the activity of paclitaxel and gemcitabine in the presence of IGF-1 and HRG <i>in vitro</i>. Dual IGF-1R/ErbB3 blocking enhanced chemosensitivity through inhibition of AKT phosphorylation and promotion of IGF-1R and ErbB3 degradation. Addition of istiratumab to gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel improved chemotherapy activity <i>in vivo</i>.</p><p><b>Conclusions:</b> Our findings suggest a critical role for the HRG/ErbB3 axis and support the clinical exploration of dual IGF-1R/ErbB3 blocking in pancreatic cancer. <i>Clin Cancer Res; 24(12); 2873–85. ©2018 AACR</i>.</p></div>

<div>Abstract<p>Given the bulky nature of nanotherapeutics relative to small molecules, it is hypothesized that effective tumor delivery and penetration are critical barriers to their clinical activity. HER2-targeted PEGylated liposomal doxorubicin (MM-302, HER2-tPLD) is an antibody–liposomal drug conjugate designed to deliver doxorubicin to HER2-overexpressing cancer cells while limiting uptake into nontarget cells. In this work, we demonstrate that the administration and appropriate dose sequencing of cyclophosphamide can improve subsequent MM-302 delivery and enhance antitumor activity in preclinical models without negatively affecting nontarget tissues, such as the heart and skin. We demonstrate that this effect is critically dependent on the timing of cyclophosphamide administration. Furthermore, the effect was found to be unique to cyclophosphamide and related analogues, and not shared by other agents, such as taxanes or eribulin, under the conditions examined. Analysis of the cyclophosphamide-treated tumors suggests that the mechanism for improved MM-302 delivery involves the induction of tumor cell apoptosis, reduction of overall tumor cell density, substantial lowering of interstitial fluid pressure, and increasing vascular perfusion. The novel dosing strategy for cyclophosphamide described herein is readily translatable to standard clinical regimens, represents a potentially significant advance in addressing the drug delivery challenge, and may have broad applicability for nanomedicines. This work formed the basis for clinical evaluation of cyclophosphamide for improving liposome deposition as part of an ongoing phase I clinical trial of MM-302 in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. <i>Mol Cancer Ther; 14(9); 2060–71. ©2015 AACR</i>.</p></div>

<div>Abstract<p>Although inhibition of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling pathway was expected to eliminate a key resistance mechanism for EGF receptor (EGFR)-driven cancers, the effectiveness of IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) inhibitors in clinical trials has been limited. A multiplicity of survival mechanisms are available to cancer cells. Both IGF-IR and the ErbB3 receptor activate the PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis, but ErbB3 has only recently been pursued as a therapeutic target. We show that coactivation of the ErbB3 pathway is prevalent in a majority of cell lines responsive to IGF ligands and antagonizes IGF-IR–mediated growth inhibition. Blockade of the redundant IGF-IR and ErbB3 survival pathways and downstream resistance mechanisms was achieved with MM-141, a tetravalent bispecific antibody antagonist of IGF-IR and ErbB3. MM-141 potency was superior to monospecific and combination antibody therapies and was insensitive to variation in the ratio of IGF-IR and ErbB3 receptors. MM-141 enhanced the biologic impact of receptor inhibition <i>in vivo</i> as a monotherapy and in combination with the mTOR inhibitor everolimus, gemcitabine, or docetaxel, through blockade of IGF-IR and ErbB3 signaling and prevention of PI3K/AKT/mTOR network adaptation. <i>Mol Cancer Ther; 13(2); 410–25. ©2013 AACR</i>.</p></div>

<p>Supplementary Figures S1-S6. Supplementary Fig. S1. The effect of cyclophosphamide on liposome delivery is dose dependent, requires a predose rather than a co-injection, and is not mediated by changes in blood clearance. Supplementary Fig. S2. Cyclophosphamide induces DNA-damage and tumor cell apoptosis. Supplementary Fig. S3. Effects of cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, paclitaxel and eribulin on HER2-tPLD delivery, stromal cell density, total cell density, and interstitial space area. Supplementary Fig. S4. Pretreatment of tumors with cyclophosphamide significantly enhances nuclear delivery of doxorubicin following HER2-tPLD injection. Supplementary Fig. S5. Pretreatment of tumors with cyclophosphamide enhances the delivery of HER2-tPLD in multiple tumor models. Supplementary Fig. S6. The combination of a cyclophosphamide predose with HER2-tPLD results in synergistic anti-tumor activity.</p>