Emerging drugs for non-small-cell lung cancer.
Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 80% of all lung cancer cases and is the leading cause of cancer mortality. Despite the optimization of chemotherapy regimens, treatment outcomes for advanced disease are still disappointing. The EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, erlotinib, and the recombinant monoclonal antibody against the VEGF, bevacizumab, have proven active in NSCLC. In the BR.21 trial, a 2-month benefit in overall survival was observed for previously treated NSCLC patients who received erlotinib versus placebo. The combination of chemotherapy plus bevacizumab yielded superior overall survival or progression-free survival in one randomized trial in advanced non-squamous NSCLC patients. However, despite the introduction of more effective agents, new treatment strategies are clearly needed in lung cancer management. The review focuses on a number of new targeted agents/chemotherapy drugs now in clinical trials directed at improving NSCLC management. Mature results regarding their activity and usefulness can be expected in the near future.
Felip
Enriqueta
E
Institut Català d'Oncologia, Hospital Germans Trias I Pujol, Ctra. Canyet. s/n, 08916 Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.
Santarpia
Mariacarmela
M
Rosell
Rafael
R
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000401:mortality; D015195:Drug Design; D015507:Drugs, Investigational / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D015507:Drugs, Investigational; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011494:Protein Kinases