Molecularly targeted therapies in adult soft tissue sarcomas: present approach and future directions.
BACKGROUND
Sarcomas are rare neoplasms. Given the overwhelming chemotherapy resistance of the disease, patients with progressive and metastatic soft tissue sarcomas are ideal candidates for trials of investigational new drugs.


OBJECTIVE
The authors review the molecular mechanisms underlying soft tissue sarcomas and discuss molecularly targeted therapies developed to improve the poor outcome of these uncommon tumors.


METHODS
A Medline and American Society of Clinical Oncology abstract search was conducted using the keyword 'soft tissue sarcoma'. Articles and abstracts were reviewed and eligible for inclusion if they used targeted therapies for the treatment of patients with soft tissue sarcomas.


CONCLUSIONS
Phase II clinical trials for patients with soft tissue sarcomas using novel targets and present recognized targets are ongoing and planned.
Aranha
Olivia
O
Northwestern University, Robert H Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA.
Agulnik
Mark
M
D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents