Editorial
Copyright ©2006 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jun 7, 2006; 12(21): 3297-3305
Published online Jun 7, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i21.3297
Role of receptor tyrosine kinases in gastric cancer: New targets for a selective therapy
JC Becker, C Müller-Tidow, H Serve, W Domschke, T Pohle
JC Becker, W Domschke, T Pohle, Department of Medicine B, University of Münster, D-48129 Münster, Germany
C Müller-Tidow, H Serve, Department of Medicine A, University of Münster, D-48129 Münster, Germany
Supported by a grant from the IMF (innovative medical research fund), No. PO210205, University of Münster, Germany
Correspondence to: Thorsten Pohle, MD, Department of Medicine B, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Strasse 33, D-48129 Münster, Germany. pohlet@uni-muenster.de
Telephone: +49-251-8347559 Fax: +49-251-8349504
Received: January 23, 2006
Revised: January 28, 2006
Accepted: February 18, 2006
Published online: June 7, 2006
Abstract

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) such as the epidermal growth factor receptor family participate in several steps of tumor formation including proliferation and metastatic spread. Several known RTKs are upregulated in gastric cancer being prime targets of a tailored therapy. Only preliminary data exist, however, on the use of the currently clinically available drugs such as trastuzumab, cetuximab, bevacizumab, gefitinib, erlotinib, and imatinib in the setting of gastric cancer. Preclinical data suggest a potential benefit of their use, especially in combination with “conventional” cytostatic therapy. This review summarizes the current knowledge about their use in cancer therapy as well as new approaches and drugs to optimize treatment success.

Keywords: Gastric carcinoma, EGFR, Gefitinib, Trastuzumab, Cetuximab, Imatinib, Erlotinib, Bevacizumab