New chemotherapies in gastric adenocarcinoma

SummaryChemotherapy is still the most important component of systemic therapy in gastric cancer. It is not replaced by targeted agents so far. Novel chemotherapies like 5 ‑fluorouracil (5FU) prodrugs are applied. Agents such as nanoliposomal irinotecan or nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel are still under investigation. In patients overexpressing the epithelial growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), the addition of trastuzumab to classical chemotherapy improves overal l survival (OS) substantially and in second line setting the monoclonal antibody ramucirumab shows single agent activity as well as activity in combination with paclitaxel.
Source: Memo - Magazine of European Medical Oncology - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research