The role of talactoferrin alpha in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.
BACKGROUND
Immunotherapeutic approaches to treating NSCLC via either adoptive transfer of immunity or stimulation of the endogenous immune system have shown increasing promise in recent years.


METHODS
Talactoferrin alpha is an oral immunomodulatory agent currently in late-stage clinical trials that acts through dendritic cell recruitment and activation in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue.


RESULTS
Talactoferrin is a recombinant human lactoferrin that is a member of the transferrin family of iron-binding glycoproteins. Lactoferrins have multiple known biological activities including cancer protection, cellular growth and differentiation and antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. This review discusses the proposed mechanism of action of talactoferrin-alpha and outlines the pre-clinical, Phase I and II data in NSCLC. The ongoing Phase III trials are discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
The current role of Talactoferrin alpha in the treatment of NSCLC is described and we explore potential future roles for this drug in both early stage and advanced stage disease.
Kelly
Ronan J
RJ
National Cancer Institute, Medical Oncology, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Giaccone
Giuseppe
G
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C515276:talactoferrin alfa; D007781:Lactoferrin