title: Monoclonal antibodies in gynecological cancer: a critical point of view.
abstract: During the last decades, several improvements in treating gynecological malignancies have been achieved. In particular, target therapies, mostly monoclonal antibodies, have emerged as an attractive option for the treatment of these malignancies. In fact, various molecular-targeted agents have been developed for a variety of malignancies with the objective to interfere with a precise tumor associated receptor, essential for cancer cell survival or proliferation, blocking its function, of the cancer cells. Alternatively, monoclonal antibodies have been developed to block immune suppression or enhance functions of immune effector cells. So far, several monoclonal antibodies have been tested for clinical efficacy for the treatment of gynecological cancers. Antibodies against Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) have been used in different neoplasms such as ovarian and cervical cancer. Catumazumab, a bivalent antibody against CD3 and EpCAM, is effective in the treatment of neoplastic ascites. Other antibodies are peculiar for specific cancer-associated antigen such as Oregovomab against CA125 or Farletuzumab against the folate receptor. Here we describe the preclinical and clinical experience gained up to now with monoclonal antibodies in tumors of the female genital tract and trace future therapeutic and research venues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bellati
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Napoletano
authors.forename: Maria Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Gasparri
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Visconti
authors.forename: Ilaria Grazia
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Zizzari
authors.forename: Ilary
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ruscito
authors.forename: Jlenia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Caccetta
authors.forename: Aurelia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rughetti
authors.forename: Pierluigi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Benedetti-Panici
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nuti
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor