Understanding the mechanisms of action of EGFR inhibitors in NSCLC: what we know and what we do not know.
The development of rationally designed agents targeting specific biological pathways in tumor development has been heralded as a major paradigm shift in the approach to the treatment of cancer. The application of these agents has lead to promising pre-clinical findings in a variety of human cancer pre-clinical models including lung cancer. Results from initial clinical trials employing targeted agents have shown that in contrast to what was expected, only selected patients may benefit. Determining which patients will benefit remains a major challenge. Findings from the 'Iressa' Dose Evaluation in Lung Cancer and INTACT trials for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) require investigators to return to the laboratory to design relevant pre-clinical studies that improve our ability to predict response to targeted agents in the clinic.
Raben
David
D
University of Colorado Cancer Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO 80010-5010, USA. david.raben@uchsc.edu
Helfrich
Barb
B
Ciardiello
Fortunato
F
Bunn
Paul A
PA
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D000077156:Gefitinib; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012107:Research Design; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011799:Quinazolines; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D000077156:Gefitinib