[Targeted therapies in breast cancer]

Rev Med Liege. 2011 May-Jun;66(5-6):379-84.
[Article in French]

Abstract

The better understanding of the biology of breast cancer has allowed the identification of new targets for anticancer therapy. Trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody binding the HER2 receptor, is used since several years in the treatment of HER2 overexpressing breast cancer, including in the adjuvant setting. Lapatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was introduced more recently into the clinic. New treatment options under evaluation in HER2 overexpressing breast cancer include combinations of anti-HER2 treatments, drugs targeting the downstream signaling pathway and new anti-HER2 agents such as pertuzumab and T-DM1. This article also reviews other targeted treatments of interest in the field of breast cancer including antiangiogenic agents and drugs targeting the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway.

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lapatinib
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Quinazolines / therapeutic use
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Trastuzumab

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Quinazolines
  • Lapatinib
  • Receptor, ErbB-2
  • Trastuzumab