Beyond HER2: recent advances and future directions in targeted therapies in esophagogastric cancers

Abstract

Esophagogastric cancers (EGCa) are a leading cause of cancer related mortality worldwide. It has been recognized that they represent heterogenous diseases based on histology and anatomy. However, it is also increasingly evident that these are diverse malignancies based on genetic alterations, and this is increasingly making these diseases amenable to targeted therapies. While epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and mTOR inhibitors have failed to prove effective in the treatment of advanced EGCa, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inihibitor have now been demonstrated to improve survival, at least in the 2nd line setting of adenocarcinomas. Other promising approaches are being investigated, including targeted therapies such as MET and FGFR inhibitors, as well as immunotherapy and agents that may affect synthetic lethality.

Fatal hemoptysis in patients with advanced esophageal cancer treated with apatinib

“…Regulation of angiogenesis requires the participation of a variety of signaling molecules. As a major mediating agent for endothelial cell division, survival, and microvascular permeability regulation, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) together with VEGF is crucial in physiological and pathological angiogenesis 10. Wang et al11 reported that VEGF and VEGFR were highly expressed in squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, influencing its development and progression.…”