Open AccessRole of receptor tyrosine kinases in gastric cancer: New targets for a selective therapy
Author(s) -
Jan C. Becker,
Carsten MüllerTidow,
Hubert Serve,
W Domschke,
Thorsten Pohle
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
world journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.427
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 2219-2840
pISSN - 1007-9327
DOI - 10.3748/wjg.v12.i21.3297
Subject(s) - erlotinib , medicine , cetuximab , receptor tyrosine kinase , cancer , tyrosine kinase , trastuzumab , gefitinib , epidermal growth factor receptor , erlotinib hydrochloride , bevacizumab , cancer research , targeted therapy , pharmacology , oncology , colorectal cancer , receptor , breast cancer , chemotherapy
Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) such as the epidermal growth factor receptor family participate in several steps of tumor formation including proliferation and metastatic spread. Several known RTKs are upregulated in gastric cancer being prime targets of a tailored therapy. Only preliminary data exist, however, on the use of the currently clinically available drugs such as trastuzumab, cetuximab, bevacizumab, gefitinib, erlotinib, and imatinib in the setting of gastric cancer. Preclinical data suggest a potential benefit of their use, especially in combination with "conventional" cytostatic therapy. This review summarizes the current knowledge about their use in cancer therapy as well as new approaches and drugs to optimize treatment success.