Imatinib mesylate (Gleevec): targeted therapy against cancer with immune properties.
The treatment against cancer is being flooded by targeted therapies. Imatinib mesylate (Gleevec) was the first molecule to provide the proof of principle that targeting an aberrant tyrosine kinase responsible for the uncontrolled cell cycle progression allows for the eradication of tumors. The ideal targeted therapy should eliminate the molecular event responsible for the disease, an oncogenic product such as c-KIT, ABL/BCR and PDGFRa in the case of Gleevec. Two issues related to this conceptual advance are raised in clinical practice. First, these therapies might target additional pathways generating side effects. Secondly, non tumoral cells bearing the molecular target might respond and induce additional biological outcomes. This review will summarize the by-stander immune modulations promoted by the paradigmatic compound Gleevec, leading to unexpected new therapeutic indications.
Zoubir
Moustapha
M
Centre d'Investigation Clinique en Biothérapie, CICBT, Villejuif, France.
Tursz
Thomas
T
Ménard
Cédric
C
Zitvogel
Laurence
L
Chaput
Nathalie
N
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001549:Benzamides; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D056747:Immunomodulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D007372:Interferons / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D009154:Mutation; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D007372:Interferons; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases