title: Molecular targeting to treat gastric cancer.
abstract: Trastuzumab that targets human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein is the only approved molecular targeting agent for treating gastric cancer in Japan and the outcomes have been favorable. However, trastuzumab is effective for only 10% to 20% of the population with gastric cancer that expresses HER2 protein. Molecular targeting therapy with bevacizumab against vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) and with cetuximab and panitumumab against the epidermal growth factors pathway that have been approved for treating colorectal cancer are not considered effective for treating gastric cancer according to several clinical trials. However, ramucirumab that targets VEGF receptor-2 prolonged overall survival in a large phase III clinical trial and it might be an effective molecular targeting therapy for gastric cancer. The significance of molecular targeting therapy for gastric cancer remains controversial. A large-scale randomized clinical trial of novel molecular targeting agents with which to treat gastric cancer is needed.
authors.affiliation: Keishiro Aoyagi, Kikuo Kouhuji, Junya Kizaki, Taro Isobe, Kousuke Hashimoto, Kazuo Shirouzu, Department of Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka 830-0011, Japan.
authors.forename: Keishiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Aoyagi
authors.affiliation: Keishiro Aoyagi, Kikuo Kouhuji, Junya Kizaki, Taro Isobe, Kousuke Hashimoto, Kazuo Shirouzu, Department of Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka 830-0011, Japan.
authors.forename: Kikuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kouhuji
authors.affiliation: Keishiro Aoyagi, Kikuo Kouhuji, Junya Kizaki, Taro Isobe, Kousuke Hashimoto, Kazuo Shirouzu, Department of Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka 830-0011, Japan.
authors.forename: Junya
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kizaki
authors.affiliation: Keishiro Aoyagi, Kikuo Kouhuji, Junya Kizaki, Taro Isobe, Kousuke Hashimoto, Kazuo Shirouzu, Department of Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka 830-0011, Japan.
authors.forename: Taro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Isobe
authors.affiliation: Keishiro Aoyagi, Kikuo Kouhuji, Junya Kizaki, Taro Isobe, Kousuke Hashimoto, Kazuo Shirouzu, Department of Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka 830-0011, Japan.
authors.forename: Kousuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hashimoto
authors.affiliation: Keishiro Aoyagi, Kikuo Kouhuji, Junya Kizaki, Taro Isobe, Kousuke Hashimoto, Kazuo Shirouzu, Department of Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka 830-0011, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shirouzu
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D018579:Patient Selection; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors
keywords: Epidermal growth factors pathway; Gastric cancer; Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 protein; Molecular targeting therapy; Vascular endothelial growth factors/Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor pathway