Ovarian cancer is the second most lethal gynecological cancer worldwide and while most patients respond to initial therapy, they often relapse with resistant disease. Human epidermal growth factor receptors(especially...Ovarian cancer is the second most lethal gynecological cancer worldwide and while most patients respond to initial therapy, they often relapse with resistant disease. Human epidermal growth factor receptors(especially HER1/EGFR and HER2/ERBB2) are involved in disease progression; hence, strategies to inhibit their action could prove advantageous in ovarian cancer patients,especially in patients resistant to first line therapy. Monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors are two classes of drugs that act on these receptors. They have demonstrated valuable antitumor activity in multiple cancers and their possible use in ovarian cancer continues to be studied. In this review, we discuss the human epidermal growth factor receptor family; review emerging clinical studies on monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting these receptors in ovarian cancer patients; and propose future research possibilities in this area.展开更多
基金The work disclosed in this publication is partially funded by the Endeavour Scholarship Scheme (Malta) Scholarships are part-financed by the European Union–European Social Fund (ESF)–Operational Program II–Cohesion Policy 2014–2020 "Investing in human capital to create more opportunities and promote the well-being of society"
文摘Ovarian cancer is the second most lethal gynecological cancer worldwide and while most patients respond to initial therapy, they often relapse with resistant disease. Human epidermal growth factor receptors(especially HER1/EGFR and HER2/ERBB2) are involved in disease progression; hence, strategies to inhibit their action could prove advantageous in ovarian cancer patients,especially in patients resistant to first line therapy. Monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors are two classes of drugs that act on these receptors. They have demonstrated valuable antitumor activity in multiple cancers and their possible use in ovarian cancer continues to be studied. In this review, we discuss the human epidermal growth factor receptor family; review emerging clinical studies on monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting these receptors in ovarian cancer patients; and propose future research possibilities in this area.