Molecular Targeted Therapy in Cancer

Use of non-selective drugs to kill cancer cells means that healthy cells will inevitably be damaged and many patients will suffer severe side-effects. New therapies are continuously being sought to reduce the mortality from cancer. The targeted cancer therapy has been developed with advances in molecular biology and technology. Over the last several decades, a wealth of knowledge has emerged regarding the molecular events involved in human cancer. Understanding the molecular events in tumorigenesis and mechanism would provide knowledge in searching for novel targets. Through our understanding of signaling pathways regulating cellular growth, cell cycle, and apoptosis, numerous targets for anticancer agents have emerged. The targets usually include EGFR, transmembrane protein tyrosine kinase, protein kinase C, farnesyl transferase, angiogenesis, and metalloproteinase. It has become clear that targeted therapy is the important novel strategy for treatment of cancer through preclinical and clinical trials.