Targeting sarcomas: novel biological agents and future perspectives

Curr Drug Targets. 2009 Oct;10(10):937-49. doi: 10.2174/138945009789577990.

Abstract

Sarcomas are a group of heterogeneous tumors that arise from mesenchymal tissue and account for approximately 1% of all adult solid malignancies diagnosed, although its incidence approaches 20% in pediatric cancers. Characterization of molecular abnormalities in patients with sarcomas, in particular the up-regulation of the receptor tyrosine kinase and the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway, loss or deletions of retinoblastoma (Rb) and p53 gene, increased VEGF expression and angiogenesis, dysregulation of apoptosis through Bcl-2 overexpression, along with oncogene mutations and activations, such as c-KIT in Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), makes treatment with novel biological therapies a promising option. This review focuses on the molecular heterogeneity of soft tissue and bone sarcomas, novel biological therapies currently in clinical trials to target the various molecular pathways, and the potential biological agents in pre-clinical and early clinical development.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biological Products / pharmacology
  • Biological Products / therapeutic use
  • Bone Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Bone Neoplasms / genetics
  • Bone Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Child
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Humans
  • Sarcoma / drug therapy*
  • Sarcoma / genetics
  • Sarcoma / physiopathology
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms / genetics
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms / physiopathology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Biological Products