Using translational research to tailor the use of chemotherapy in the treatment of NSCLC.
The treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has improved over the past two decades with the availability of new agents such as gemcitabine, the taxanes and vinorelbine. Despite these advances, survival prospects remain disappointingly low for most patients. Further improvements in response rate and survival requires the development of new agents with novel mechanisms of action, such as molecularly targeted therapies, which are currently being tested in clinical trials. The conventional treatment approach to NSCLC is beginning to shift towards the application of specific strategies and techniques, such as pharmacogenomics, to tailor treatment to individual patients. Many efforts are in progress to identify the clinical predictors of outcome. The discovery of prognostic molecular markers, such as the putative suppressor gene (RRM1), represents a novel and potential parameter to help guide clinical treatment decisions.
Bepler
Gerold
G
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612-9497, USA. BeplerG@moffitt.usf.edu
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004720:Endonucleases / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010597:Pharmacogenetics / Q000379:methods; D012262:Ribonucleoside Diphosphate Reductase; D015996:Survival Rate; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D005819:Genetic Markers; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D003841:Deoxycytidine; C475286:RRM1 protein, human; D012262:Ribonucleoside Diphosphate Reductase; C071447:ERCC1 protein, human; D004720:Endonucleases; D000093542:Gemcitabine