[Targeted therapies in thoracic oncology].
BACKGROUND
Better understanding of the alterations of cellular physiology during carcinogenesis has resulted in the development of new anticancer agents called biological targeted therapies. These therapies will probably complement the traditional treatments (surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy).


BACKGROUND
In thoracic oncology, targeted therapies may interfere with signal transduction by interaction with growth factors receptors. This is the case with monoclonal antibodies directed against the extracellular part of the receptors and with small molecules inhibiting the intracellular part of the receptors (for example, EGF-R).


CONCLUSIONS
Other strategies include the use of farnesyl transferase inhibitors or of antisense oligonucleotides; the new therapies may also inhibit angiogenesis by targeting either the VEGF receptor or the matrix metalloproteases. Inhibitors of metalloproteases were the first targeted agents tested. However, all published studies on metalloproteases inhibitors have been negative so far.


CONCLUSIONS
Currently, the agents most advanced in clinical development are the EGFR inhibitors (either monoclonal antibodies or small molecules inhibiting tyrosine-kinases) which, in those that have clinical activity, may produce a sustained response at a cost of a degree of toxicity.
Service de Pneumologie Lyautey, Hôpitaux Universitaires, Strasbourg, France. elisabeth.quiox@chru-strasbourg.fr
E
E
Quoix
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Beau-Faller
J-Y
JY
Douillard
B
B
Milleron
D019883:Alkyl and Aryl Transferases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D051231:Farnesyltranstransferase; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D045726:Metalloproteases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D015398:Signal Transduction
D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; D019883:Alkyl and Aryl Transferases; D051231:Farnesyltranstransferase; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; D045726:Metalloproteases