Emerging biological drugs for the treatment of gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Gastric cancer (GC) and gastroesophageal junction cancer (GOJC) patients have a poor prognosis with a 5-year relative survival rate of 6% in the metastatic setting. Despite the well-characterized molecular features, patients have been historically considered for treatment with universal and undistinguishing chemotherapies and targeted agents, except for the HER2-positive population and some immunological approaches.

AREAS COVERED:

In this review, we discuss the intrinsic characteristics of GC/GOJC from an epidemiological, molecular, and clinical perspective with an exhaustive evaluation of the reported and ongoing phase II/III clinical trials with targeted therapies.

EXPERT OPINION:

The absence of robust biomarkers, the difficulties in measuring it due to the well-recognized molecular heterogeneity, and in part nonoptimistic clinical trial designs have been a major cause of frequent failure. Current efforts should focus on proper recognition of the distinctive molecular and clinical features of each GC/GOJC patient. Sequencing both tumor tissue DNA and ctDNA could identify targetable alterations, including rare alterations, thus allowing GC/GOJC patients for a precision medicine benefit.

• Authors: Maria Alsina, Marc Diez, Josep Tabernero
• Journal: Expert opinion on emerging drugs (Expert Opin Emerg Drugs) Vol. 26 Issue 4 Pg. 385-400 (12 2021) ISSN: 1744-7623 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 34814781 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Biological Products

Topics

• Adenocarcinoma (drug therapy)
• Biological Products
• Esophageal Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Esophagogastric Junction
• Humans
• Stomach Neoplasms (drug therapy)