title: Targeting the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary.
abstract: Until recently, there has been little change in the management of epithelial ovarian cancer with the majority of women receiving identical systemic therapy, regardless of histological subtype. The heterogeneity of epithelial ovarian cancer is now well established, with distinct subtypes characterized by specific molecular alterations and patterns of clinical behavior. Low-grade serous carcinoma is a rare subtype associated with an indolent biological behavior and inherent resistance to chemotherapy. The mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway plays a prominent role in the pathogenesis of low-grade serous carcinoma, and provides an attractive target for novel therapeutic agents. Selumetinib, a MEK1/2 inhibitor, demonstrates promising efficacy in women with relapsed low-grade serous carcinoma, and further trials of MEK-inhibition are underway. Translational research will be essential to identify predictive biomarkers for this treatment approach.
authors.affiliation: Gynaecology Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, 203 Fulham Road, London, SW3 6JJ, UK.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McLachlan
authors.affiliation: Gynaecology Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, 203 Fulham Road, London, SW3 6JJ, UK.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gore
authors.affiliation: Gynaecology Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, 203 Fulham Road, London, SW3 6JJ, UK.
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Banerjee
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018284:Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects*; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics*; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
keywords: BRAF; KRAS; MAPK pathway; MEK inhibitor; low-grade serous; ovarian cancer