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Growth Factor Receptors in Breast Cancer: Potential for Therapeutic Intervention

^a Departments of Breast Medical Oncology and ^b Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA

Correspondence: Francisco J. Esteva, M.D., Ph.D., Departments of Breast Medical Oncology and Cellular and Molecular Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Box 424, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. Telephone: 713-792-2817; Fax: 713-745-5768; e-mail: festeva{at}mdanderson.org

Increased expression and activation of receptor tyrosine kinases occurs frequently in human breast carcinomas. Several therapies targeting these receptors are currently in clinical trials. Therapeutic strategies include blockade of individual receptors with monoclonal antibodies and inhibition of tyrosine kinase function. Trastuzumab is the first of these biologic therapies to be approved for patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer. Novel trastuzumab-based combinations are being investigated in patients with advanced breast cancer. Large clinical trials have also been launched in the adjuvant setting. Small molecules that inhibit specific tyrosine kinases (e.g., epidermal growth factor receptor, HER2) are in phase I and phase II clinical trials. Other growth-factor-targeted drugs that have reached clinical development include STI571 and antibodies directed at the insulin-like growth factor pathway. Biologic therapies directed against these important receptors are promising. In this review we discuss challenges and opportunities for the development of growth-factor-targeted approaches for the treatment of breast cancer.

Key Words. Breast neoplasm • Biologic therapy • Prognostic markers • IGF-IR • EGFR • HER2 • Monoclonal antibodies • Tyrosine kinase inhibitors

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