Novel Targeted Therapies for Esophagogastric Cancer

Surg Oncol Clin N Am. 2017 Apr;26(2):293-312. doi: 10.1016/j.soc.2016.10.002.

Abstract

Gastroesophageal cancer (GEC) remains a major cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Although the incidence of distal gastric adenocarcinoma (GC) is declining in the United States, proximal esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma (EGJ) is increasing in incidence. GEC, including GC and EGJ, is treated uniformly in the metastatic setting. Overall survival in the metastatic setting remains poor. Molecular characterization of GEC has identified mutations and copy number variations, along with other oncogenes, biomarkers, and immuno-oncologic checkpoints that may serve as actionable therapeutic targets. This article reviews these key aberrations, their impact on protein expression, therapeutic implications, and clinical directions within each pathway.

Keywords: EGFR; Esophagogastric junction cancer; FGFR2; Gastric cancer; Gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma; HER2; MET; VEGFR2.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma* / drug therapy
  • Adenocarcinoma* / enzymology
  • Adenocarcinoma* / genetics
  • Adenocarcinoma* / pathology
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • DNA Copy Number Variations
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Esophageal Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Esophageal Neoplasms* / enzymology
  • Esophageal Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Esophageal Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Esophagogastric Junction* / enzymology
  • Esophagogastric Junction* / pathology
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy / methods*
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met
  • Stomach Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Stomach Neoplasms* / enzymology
  • Stomach Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Stomach Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met