Tyrosine kinase inhibitors in pediatric malignancies.
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been used to treat adult cancers for over a decade. Since the discovery of imatinib mesylate (STI-571, Gleevec; Novartis), tyrosine kinase inhibitors have ushered in a new age of targeted therapy. Although the United States Food and Drug Administration has approved several kinase inhibitors for use in adult cancers, currently only imatinib mesylate is approved for use in children with cancer. This review highlights the mechanisms of tyrosine kinase inhibition, the potential role of tyrosine kinase pathways in the treatment of pediatric cancers, and the current status of pediatric clinical investigation of a spectrum of tyrosine kinase inhibitors for the treatment of childhood cancer.
Skolnik
Jeffrey M
JM
Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA. skolnik@email.chop.edu
Adamson
Peter C
PC
D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D015398:Signal Transduction
D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases