Anti-HER agents in gastric cancer: from bench to bedside

摘要: Despite some advances in the past few years, search for effective treatment modalities advanced gastric and gastro-esophageal junction cancer is far from over. Available data clearly demonstrate that development of new drugs will have little, if any, chance success it not guided by in-depth knowledge disease biology. However, using biologic agents to target key molecular pathways, such as those regulated human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) family members, may be effective. Indeed, positive results achieved anti-HER2 agent trastuzumab a phase III trial HER2-positive patients support this approach. Many anti-HER molecules are now under evaluation cancer, but so attempts identify reliable predictive factors I II trials produced inconclusive results. In addition, large still being conducted molecularly unselected populations. Refining patient selection essential maximize benefit targeted agents, avoid significant toxicities alternative therapeutic approaches who nonresponsive disease.