title: Molecularly targeted therapies for colorectal cancer: Strategies for implementing translational research in clinical trials.
abstract: Few breakthroughs in preclinical research have translated into meaningful benefits, either in clinical terms or quality of life, for patients with advanced colorectal cancer, despite important preclinical discoveries regarding aberrant biological pathways associated with disease development and progression. The many reasons for the slow progress are diverse, ranging from the failure to codevelop biomarkers and targeted therapies, the regulatory burdens imposed on academic investigators, and the failure to collect serial tumor biopsies during clinical trials. This review discusses promising translational research that could help reduce the disparity between preclinical discovery and patient benefit, and advocate the concentration of efforts and resources on the most promising therapeutic targets in colorectal cancer, such as EGFR, VEGF and Fcγ receptor.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Universitätsklinik, Anichstrasse 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria. Heinz.Zwierzina@i-med.ac.at
authors.forename: Heinz
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zwierzina
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bardelli
authors.forename: Fortunato
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ciardiello
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gariboldi
authors.forename: Leif
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Håkansson
authors.forename: Diether
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lambrechts
authors.forename: Guro E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Lind
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Loeffler-Ragg
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schmoll
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Siena
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tabernero
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Van Cutsem
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical / Q000379:methods*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D066246:ErbB Receptors