title: Current status of targeted therapies in advanced gastric cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In metastatic gastric cancer, chemotherapy is the standard treatment because it prolongs survival when compared to best supportive care alone. However, even after the use of more effective regimens, the overall survival remains disappointing, justifying the need for new treatment options.
  
  
  METHODS
  Areas covered in this review include the most common molecular pathways, which have provided novel targets in gastric cancer therapy. These therapeutic strategies include EGFR inhibitors, anti-angiogenic agents, cell cycle inhibitors and apoptosis promoters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Several mAbs and kinase inhibitors, especially those targeting EGFR and VEGF/VEGFR, have already demonstrated promising activity in gastric cancer. The Phase III ToGA trial reported an increase in overall survival for patients with human EGF receptor (HER)2-positive gastric cancer treated with chemotherapy and trastuzumab compared to chemotherapy alone. This means that accurate HER2 testing in gastric cancer is necessary. Final data of ongoing trials with novel agents will be critical to further progress with this cancer.
authors.affiliation: Oncologia Medica, Seconda Università di Napoli, Via S.Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, Italia. fernandodevita@yahoo.it
authors.forename: Ferdinando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Vita
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Giuliani
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Silvestris
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rossetti
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pizzolorusso
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Santabarbara
authors.forename: Gennaro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Galizia
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Colucci
authors.forename: Fortunato
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ciardiello
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Orditura
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases