Predicting efficacy and toxicity in the era of targeted therapy: focus on anti-EGFR and anti-VEGF molecules

Curr Drug Metab. 2011 Dec;12(10):944-55. doi: 10.2174/138920011798062346.

Abstract

The treatment of solid malignancies includes various target drugs, such as monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which exert their effect alone or in combination with chemotherapy. The main part of these molecules have a target on proteins of EGFR and VEGF pathways. The particular toxicity profile and the financial impact, deriving from the application of these agents in cancer treatment, prompted a lot of researches to define predictive factors of their efficacy. Various biomarker were identified among the components of the targeted pathways. However just few studies allowed to identify specific factors to predict the toxicity of these drugs. In this review EGFR and VEGF-related pathways are described, most relevant clinical findings about target therapy applications are exposed and the clinical impact of predictive factors of efficacy and toxicity are discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases