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Repopulation of Cancer Cells - Page 2

© David Olle

Drugs could be developed that block the signaling pathway at different points. These drugs are normally cytostatic, meaning they inhibit proliferation of cancer cells rather than directly causing their death. 2To date, most of the drugs developed inhibit the epidermal growth factor receptor or the tyrosine kinase part of the receptor. They include monoclonal (laboratory produced) antibodies, such as cetuximab, or small molecules, such as gefitinib and erlotinib. These drugs are commonly used in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs in order to enhance their effects. It may be more effective to administer cytostatic agents between courses of chemotherapy. A common feature of many cancers is the co-expression of different growth factors or receptors. In these cases, the use of a combination of cytostatic drugs can be more effective in controlling the cancer.

References

1. Kim J, Tannock I. Repopulation of cancer cells during therapy: an important cause of treatment failure. Nature Reviews Cancer. 2005 July; 5 (7):516-525.

2. Kohn E, Liotta L. Molecular insights into cancer invasion: strategies for prevention and intervention. Cancer Research1995; 55 (9): 1856-1862.

3. Maciejewski B, Majewski S. Dose fractionation and tumor repopulation in radiotherapy for bladder cancer. Radiother Oncol. 1991 July; 21 (3):163-70.

4. Normanno N, Bianco C et al. Target-based agents against ErbB receptors and their ligands: a novel approach to cancer treatment. Endocrine-Related Cancer2003; 10: 1-21.

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