Added value of molecular targeted agents in oncology.
Ann Oncol
; 22(8): 1703-16, 2011 Aug.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21300696
ABSTRACT
The treatment of certain cancers has been revolutionised in recent years by the introduction of novel drugs designed to target specific molecular factors implicated in tumour growth. Notable examples include trastuzumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody (mAb) against human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)-2 in women with HER2-positive breast cancer; rituximab, an anti-CD20 mAb in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; imatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor in KIT-positive gastrointestinal stromal tumours and sunitinib, another tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in metastatic renal cell carcinoma. For regulatory reasons, new molecular targeted agents are first evaluated in advanced and metastatic disease, wherein they prolong survival. However, their most profound impact has been observed in the adjuvant setting, where they may contribute to curative therapy rather than mere palliation. Expansion in the use of molecular targeted therapies will have important cost implications for health care systems. Although expensive, on a monthly basis, molecular targeted therapies may not be more costly than treatments for other major chronic diseases, especially considering the contribution of cancer to the global disease burden, the associated socioeconomic costs and the long-term benefits of therapy. Nevertheless, the use of these agents must be optimised, in part using molecular biomarkers associated with drug response.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Linfoma no Hodgkin
/
Neoplasias de la Mama
/
Terapia Molecular Dirigida
/
Antineoplásicos
Límite:
Female
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Ann Oncol
Asunto de la revista:
NEOPLASIAS
Año:
2011
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Francia