New generations of targeted therapies fighting the resistance in solid tumors

Purpose of review: The identification of molecular alterations that drive tumor growth and spread of solid tumors has led to the development of multiple targeted therapies considered as first-generation agents that have improved clinical benefit. However, tumor cells are able to rapidly develop resistance to these agents. The growing understanding of the biology of the resistance mechanisms has spurred ongoing development of second-generation and third-generation targeted therapies aiming at new strategies to overcome resistance. Recent findings: Several generations of targeted therapies have been developed in order to prevent, delay or overcome tumor resistance. Some agents have already been approved, and others are currently under active clinical investigation in several cancer subtypes, including breast cancer, nonsmall cell lung cancer, head and neck squamous cell cancer and colorectal cancer. Summary: In the present review, we will discuss in solid tumors, the recent development of next generation anticancer-targeted therapies and new strategies including combination agents currently under active clinical investigation.
Source: Current Opinion in Oncology - Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: INNOVATIVE EARLY CLINICAL TRIALS METHODOLOGY AND NEW THERAPEUTICS IN CANCER: Edited by Ahmad Awada Source Type: research