Clinical advances in hematology & oncology : H&O
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Clin Adv Hematol Oncol · Mar 2005
ReviewThe development of molecularly targeted anticancer therapies: an Eli Lilly and Company perspective.
The ability to identify activated pathways that drive the growth and progression of cancer and to develop specific and potent inhibitors of key proteins in these pathways promises to dramatically change the treatment of cancer: A patient's cancer could be characterized at the molecular level and the information used to select the best treatment options. The development of successful therapies not only requires extensive target validation, but also new approaches to evaluating drug efficacy in animal models and in the clinic compared to the development of traditional cytotoxic agents. This article highlights Eli Lilly and Company's approach to developing targeted therapies, from target identification and validation through evaluation in the clinic. A selection of drugs in the Lilly Oncology pipeline is also discussed.
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Clin Adv Hematol Oncol · Sep 2004
ReviewDevelopment of targeted therapies for B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
The design of innovative, more effective, and less toxic therapy of B-cell lymphoma is emerging in parallel to a better understanding of the mechanisms of action of target-specific agents targeting the neoplastic B cell. Rituximab has changed the treatment paradigm of patients with B-cell lymphomas and is considered the first effective targeted therapy approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of lymphoproliferative disorders. Despite its good efficacy and safety profile, sustained complete remissions have been documented in a relatively small proportion of patients treated with rituximab monotherapy. ⋯ While rituximab has been incorporated into multiple chemotherapy regimens (ie, CVP, CHOP, FND, etc.) a significant number of lymphoma patients either relapse after initial responses or fail to respond as a consequence of either intrinsic or acquired resistance. Scientific efforts are being focused toward developing new strategies to improve rituximab activity. In this report we provide an overview of recent developments in target-specific therapies and review past, ongoing, and future research tiling this diverse group of exciting novel agents.
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Clin Adv Hematol Oncol · Sep 2004
ReviewThe treatment of colorectal carcinoma: standard chemotherapy and beyond.
Significant advances in the management of colorectal cancer patients have occurred within the past 5 years. New cytotoxic agents as well as novel targeted therapies have notably prolonged the survival of colorectal cancer patients with advanced disease. ⋯ Our improved scientific understanding of colorectal cancer will form the basis for further development of new methods to treat this common malignancy. The introduction of targeted therapeutics into the management of colorectal cancer is likely to extend the overall survival of patients further.