title: Targeted therapy for brain metastases.
abstract: The prevention and treatment of brain metastases is an increasingly important challenge in oncology. Improved understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of a number of cancers has led to the development of highly active targeted therapies for patients with specific oncogenic events. Such therapies include EGFR inhibitors for lung cancer, HER2/neu inhibitors for breast cancer, and BRAF inhibitors for melanoma. This review will discuss the development of these targeted therapy approaches, existing data about their role in the management of brain metastasis, and opportunities and challenges for future research in this critical area.
authors.affiliation: Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Davies
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents