title: Current advances in targeted therapies for metastatic gastric cancer: improving patient care.
abstract: In this article, we review the literature on the current advances in targeted therapies for metastatic gastric cancer aimed at improving patient care. We conclude that the key to guiding targeted therapy is individual biomarkers, which are not completely elucidated. HER2 overexpression is the only predictive biomarker currently in use. Furthermore, it is necessary to understand that gastric tumors are heterogeneous; therefore, is impossible to evaluate a novel biological compound without evaluating personal biomarkers. The selection of patients who are able to receive each treatment is paramount for improving advanced gastric cancer survival and reducing unnecessary costs.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Pedro Nazareth
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Aguiar
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Thiago Pimentel
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Muniz
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Raelson Rodrigues
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Miranda
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Hakaru
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tadokoro
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Nora Manoukian
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Forones
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ines-de-Paula
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Monteiro
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences & Medicine, Division of Oncology, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Castelo-Branco
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Gastrointestinal Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Yelena Y
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Janjigian
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.|Department of Biomedical Sciences & Medicine, Division of Oncology, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.|Clinical Research Center & Department of Medical Oncology, Centro Oncológico São Mateus, Ceará Cancer Institute, Rua Papi Junior 1222, Rodolfo Teófilo, CEP 60430-235, Fortaleza-CE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ramon Andrade
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: De Mello
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D055808:Drug Discovery; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D005791:Patient Care; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058996:Quality Improvement; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases
keywords: current advances; gastric cancer; gastric cancer therapy; patient care; targeted therapy