Molecular mechanisms and clinical use of targeted anticancer drugs

Abstract

The last decade has seen the introduction of several new classes of targeted anticancer therapies for routine clinical use. Unlike chemotherapy, which generally targets all dividing cells, these drugs are specific for a molecular characteristic of a cancer such as a growth factor receptor or signalling molecule. Although targeted therapies do not cause the antiproliferative toxicities typical of chemotherapy, they do have adverse effects of their own. These new drugs include monoclonal antibodies, such as bevacizumab and rituximab, and the small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as dasatinib and sorafenib. Targeted therapies are often taken for long periods of time. Many of the drugs, such as the tyrosine kinase inhibitors, are orally administered so patients receiving these therapies are increasingly being seen in general practice.