Molecular targeting to treat gastric cancer.

Abstract

Trastuzumab that targets human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein is the only approved molecular targeting agent for treating gastric cancer in Japan and the outcomes have been favorable. However, trastuzumab is effective for only 10% to 20% of the population with gastric cancer that expresses HER2 protein. Molecular targeting therapy with bevacizumab against vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) and with cetuximab and panitumumab against the epidermal growth factors pathway that have been approved for treating colorectal cancer are not considered effective for treating gastric cancer according to several clinical trials. However, ramucirumab that targets VEGF receptor-2 prolonged overall survival in a large phase III clinical trial and it might be an effective molecular targeting therapy for gastric cancer. The significance of molecular targeting therapy for gastric cancer remains controversial. A large-scale randomized clinical trial of novel molecular targeting agents with which to treat gastric cancer is needed.

• Authors: Keishiro Aoyagi, Kikuo Kouhuji, Junya Kizaki, Taro Isobe, Kousuke Hashimoto, Kazuo Shirouzu
• Journal: World journal of gastroenterology (World J Gastroenterol) Vol. 20 Issue 38 Pg. 13741-55 (Oct 14 2014) ISSN: 2219-2840 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25320512 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Angiogenesis Inhibitors
• Antineoplastic Agents
• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Protein Kinase Inhibitors

Topics

• Angiogenesis Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• Animals
• Antineoplastic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Biomarkers, Tumor (analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, genetics)
• Drug Design
• Humans
• Molecular Diagnostic Techniques
• Molecular Targeted Therapy
• Patient Selection
• Predictive Value of Tests
• Protein Kinase Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• Signal Transduction (drug effects)
• Stomach Neoplasms (drug therapy, genetics, metabolism, pathology)
• Treatment Outcome