Targeted therapy and pharmacogenomic programs.
The goal in administering chemotherapeutics is to develop the ability to predict the outcome of therapy in terms of response and toxicity. Technology has been developed to allow tumor profiling with measurement of protein expression, gene expression levels of markers, and even genetic polymorphisms, which may predict response to particular chemotherapeutics. The chemotherapeutics for which particular markers have been shown to predict outcome include the fluoropyrimidines and platinums. The next step is to develop clinical trials that will assess prospectively the benefits of profiling a patient's particular tumor, which should translate into an improvement in response and toxicity.
Iqbal
Syma
S
Division of Oncology, University of Southern California/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA.
Lenz
Heinz Josef
HJ
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D010597:Pharmacogenetics
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor