Lung Cancer
Volume 45, Supplement , Pages S125-S127, August 2004

Moving beyond chemotherapy: novel cytostatic agents for malignant mesothelioma

Department of Hematology/Oncology, Medical Center, University of Chicago, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC 2115, Chicago, IL 60637-1470, USA

Abstract 

It is now known that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) are autocrine growth factors in malignant mesothelioma; epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is also highly overexpressed. Cytotoxic drugs that target these growth factors offer fresh potential for the treatment of mesothelioma. Clinical trials have recently been initiated to evaluate the anti-tumour activity of the VEGF inhibitors SU5416, bevacizumab and thalidomide. ZD1839 (Iressa, AstraZeneca), an inhibitor of EGFR tyrosine kinase, is also being evaluated. Two clinical trials are planned to evaluate the two PDGF inhibitors Gleevec (Imatinib mesylate, STI-571, Novartis Pharmaceuticals) and PTK787 (Novartis Pharmaceuticals).

Keywords:  Novel cytostatic agents, Vascular endothelial growth factor, Epidermal growth factor, Platelet derived growth factor, Tyrosine kinase

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

PII: S0169-5002(04)00183-7

doi:10.1016/j.lungcan.2004.04.022

Lung Cancer
Volume 45, Supplement , Pages S125-S127, August 2004