The developing trend of monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of colorectal cancer

Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2007 Jun;7(6):871-83. doi: 10.1517/14712598.7.6.871.

Abstract

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against growth factors, receptors and tumor-specific/tumor-selective antigens represent a rapidly growing class of pharmaceutical agents which are poised to make a major impact on the treatment of colorectal cancer. mAbs targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor and the vascular endothelial growth factor have already been approved for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. Other antibodies to the same and other molecular targets implicated in tumor growth and metastasis are undergoing intense preclinical and clinical evaluation. In both the neoadjuvant and adjuvant clinical settings, although mAbs are typically administered in combination with established cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens given their synergistic effect, several agents have demonstrated efficacy when given as monotherapy. At the same time, combination therapies with multiple targeted biological agents are actively being investigated. Existing clinical data and recent progress in preclinical and clinical studies of mAbs are reviewed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology*
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / metabolism
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / immunology*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / immunology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule
  • ErbB Receptors / immunology*
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / trends
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / immunology*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • EPCAM protein, human
  • Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • ErbB Receptors