title: Signal transduction pathways as novel therapy targets in lung cancer.
abstract: Cytotoxic therapy for lung-cancer patients has only moderately improved during the last decades. Simultaneously, efforts of intensive research to increase our understanding of the molecular basis of lung cancer have been undertaken. The cancer cell has been characterised by several genetic changes that lead to altered cellular functions. In addition, multiple factors of the cancer-cell environment further affect the tumour cell via various receptors and subsequent signaling pathways. The increased knowledge of cellular signaling offers the opportunity to develop novel substances that target specific pathway molecules. In the current review, some of the most essential receptors and signaling pathways involved in lung cancer will be described. In conjunction, examples of novel target-specific agents that have already found their way into clinical trials will be discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine/Hematology, Oncology and Respiratory Medicine, University of Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer-Str. 33, D-48129 Muenster, Germany. reinmut@uni-muenster.de
authors.forename: Niels
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Reinmuth
authors.forename: Rolf M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Mesters
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bieker
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hoffknecht
authors.forename: Wolfgang E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Berdel
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D008958:Models, Molecular; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor