Recent Developments of Targeted Therapies in the Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract

Non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a lethal disease with poor prognosis. The main percentage of NSCLC patients are diagnosed to have an advanced disease. Standard treatment, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, has apparently reached a plateau of effectiveness in improving survival of advanced NSCLC patients. Hence, considerable efforts have started to be made in order to identify novel targets for new biological agents which may safely and effectively be administered to advanced NSCLC patients. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors play an essential role in tumour proliferation. Approaches targeting EGFR and VEGF include monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and small molecules inhibiting the corresponding receptor-tyrosine kinase activity. Erlotinib is a small molecule inhibitor of EGFR tyrosine-kinase which has brought significant improvements in median survival, quality of life and related symptoms, in an unselected population of advanced NSCLC patients in the second- or third-line setting. Bevacizumab, an anti-VEGF recombinant humanized mAb, is the first targeted agent which, when combined with chemotherapy, reported superior efficacy versus chemotherapy alone in the treatment of advanced NSCLC. ZD6474, a small molecule targeting VEGF tyrosine-kinase activity, showing early evidence of antitumour activity and the excellent toxicity profile, seems to be a promising agent for the treatment of advanced NSCLC. This review shows the latest and the future developments of erlotinib, bevacizumab and ZD6474 in the treatment of advanced NSCLC patients.

Phosphodiesterase-4 promotes proliferation and angiogenesis of lung cancer by crosstalk with HIF

“…Treatment was initiated when tumors were 35.95±3.71 mm 3 . The selective PDE4i rolipram (1, 3 and 6 mg/kg, with vehicle (DMSO) as a control) was administered s.c. once daily for 36 days.…”

“…Several novel drugs that specifically target these key components have been developed, but have yet to prove their efficacy for routine clinical application. 2,3 Hence, it is essential to continue the identification of novel regulators of lung tumor growth and tumor microenvironment.…”

Microwave ablation therapy for treating primary and secondary lung tumours: technical note

“…Surgery is still the treatment of choice for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) [1,2]. However, only 20% of all diagnosed NSCLCs are resectable [1,2].…”

“…However, only 20% of all diagnosed NSCLCs are resectable [1,2]. This has prompted the development of alternatives to surgical treatment, such as ablation techniques, to enable local control of unresectable tumours [3,4].…”

Lung Carcinoma in the Era of Personalized Medicine: The Role of Cytology

“…Pathology now drives treatment selection with the knowledge that there are histology-specific mutations and treatment agents readily available [4]. Departments of pathology have responded by refining criteria for the separation of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), increasing the size and scope of diagnostic molecular laboratories and collaborating with clinical colleagues on an unprecedented level.…”