The identification of oncogenes involved in the initiation and progression of tumors has generated targets for the development of new anticancer drugs. Several new drugs, small molecules, and monoclonal antibodies directly affecting oncogene products have been developed, and more will follow. Considerable progress has been made in producing small molecules capable of inhibiting the enzymatic activity of ABL, KIT, EGFR, and ERBB2. For cases in which the oncogene products are not enzymes, it has been much more difficult to develop new agents. The advantage of targeted therapy is the dependency of cancer cells on the oncogene product for growth and survival. Thus, cancer cells are more sensitive to the treatment than are normal cells. All targets, however, are not equivalent. It is possible to foresee the development of multiple drugs that have multiple targets involved in the development of cancer. The discovery of the involvement of microRNAs in the initiation and progression of human cancer may provide additional targets for anticancer treatments. Copyright © 2008 Massachusetts Medical Society.
Oncogenes and cancer
CROCE, Carlo Maria
2008
Abstract
The identification of oncogenes involved in the initiation and progression of tumors has generated targets for the development of new anticancer drugs. Several new drugs, small molecules, and monoclonal antibodies directly affecting oncogene products have been developed, and more will follow. Considerable progress has been made in producing small molecules capable of inhibiting the enzymatic activity of ABL, KIT, EGFR, and ERBB2. For cases in which the oncogene products are not enzymes, it has been much more difficult to develop new agents. The advantage of targeted therapy is the dependency of cancer cells on the oncogene product for growth and survival. Thus, cancer cells are more sensitive to the treatment than are normal cells. All targets, however, are not equivalent. It is possible to foresee the development of multiple drugs that have multiple targets involved in the development of cancer. The discovery of the involvement of microRNAs in the initiation and progression of human cancer may provide additional targets for anticancer treatments. Copyright © 2008 Massachusetts Medical Society.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.