Molecular Targeted Therapy in Colorectal Cancer.

, Yun, Seong Hyeon

Review

Journal of the Korean Society of Coloproctology 2004;20(3):180-188.

Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Korea. shyun@smc.samsung.co.kr

Abstract

In the last few years, the knowledge of molecular oncology has led to the development of many new biological agents whose targets are extracellular or intracellular molecules involved in the main signaling pathways that play major roles in cancer development and progression. Now new agents against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), farnesyl transferase (FT), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 are developed. These agents represent a new approach to the colorectal cancer, as for many other types of tumors. Preliminary data show that the targeted therapy may enhance activity of chemotherapeutic agents. Despite the encouraging preclinical results, the majority of these compounds have not yet produced convincing clinical results. However, these new agents raise a new challenge in the treatment of colorectal cancers in the new millennium.

Key Words: Colorectal cancer; Targeted therapy; Signal transduction pathway