Translating cancer research into targeted therapeutics.
The emphasis in cancer drug development has shifted from cytotoxic, non-specific chemotherapies to molecularly targeted, rationally designed drugs promising greater efficacy and less side effects. Nevertheless, despite some successes drug development remains painfully slow. Here, we highlight the issues involved and suggest ways in which this process can be improved and expedited. We envision an increasing shift to integrated cancer research and biomarker-driven adaptive and hypothesis testing clinical trials. The goal is the development of specific cancer medicines to treat the individual patient, with treatment selection being driven by a detailed understanding of the genetics and biology of the patient and their cancer.
de Bono
J S
JS
The Institute of Cancer Research, Cotswold Road, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG, UK. johann.de-bono@icr.ac.uk
Ashworth
Alan
A
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000639:trends*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D017277:Drug Approval; D015195:Drug Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D057285:Precision Medicine / Q000639:trends*; D014015:Tissue Banks; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical / Q000639:trends*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor