Targeted Treatment of Esophagogastric Cancer

Abstract

Adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) and stomach remains one of the most common causes of cancer-related death worldwide. Although there is increasing data on the mutational landscape of esophagogastric cancer, phase III trials often yield negative results, and there is a paucity of approved targeted agents. For the time being, the subset of patients carrying HER2-positive metastatic tumors can receive trastuzumab in addition to chemotherapy. Furthermore, ramucirumab has been found to be active both as a single agent and in combination with paclitaxel. Herein, we give an overview of currently approved targeted treatments for locally advanced/resectable as well as unresectable/metastatic EGJ/gastric adenocarcinoma, summarizing the underlying clinical studies. Moreover, further potential targets still under investigation are presented.

Patient-specific detection of cancer genes reveals recurrently perturbed processes in esophageal adenocarcinoma

“…This has a profound impact on the way in which EAC is currently diagnosed and treated. For example, phase III clinical trials with various targeted agents have failed to show benefits or reached inconclusive results (12)(13)(14).…”

Advances in Cancer Therapy: Targeted Therapies

“…To proceed with targeted therapy of esophagogastric cancer, we need much better diagnostics and more information on markers. This should considerably improve the evaluation of clinical investigations [4]. Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is treated basically by targeting an oncogenic molecule at the surface of the cancer cell on the one hand and tumor angiogenesis as a target coming from the cellular environment on the other [5].…”