Adding to the mix: fibroblast growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor receptor pathways as targets in non-small cell lung cancer

• Published in: Current cancer drug targets Vol. 12; no. 2; p. 107
• Main Authors: Kono, S A, Heasley, L E, Doebele, R C, Camidge, D R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands 01-02-2012
• Subjects: Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung - blood supply; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung - metabolism; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung - pathology; Humans; Lung Neoplasms - blood supply; Lung Neoplasms - metabolism; Lung Neoplasms - pathology; Neovascularization, Pathologic; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor - metabolism; Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor - drug effects; Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor - metabolism; Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor - drug effects; Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor - metabolism; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A - metabolism
• ISSN: 1873-5576
• DOI: 10.2174/156800912799095144

The treatment of advanced non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) increasingly involves the use of molecularly targeted therapy with activity against either the tumor directly, or indirectly, through activity against host-derived mechanisms of tumor support such as angiogenesis. The most well studied signaling pathway associated with angiogenesis is the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway, and the only antiangiogenic agent currently approved for the treatment of NSCLC is bevacizumab, an antibody targeted against VEGF. More recently, preclinical data supporting the role of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) signaling in angiogenesis have been reported. The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) pathways may also stimulate tumor growth directly through activation of downstream mitogenic signaling cascades. In addition, 1 or both of these pathways have been associated with resistance to agents targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and VEGF. A number of agents that target FGF and/or PDGF signaling are now in development for the treatment of NSCLC. This review will summarize the potential molecular roles of PDGFR and FGFR in tumor growth and angiogenesis, as well as discuss the current clinical status of PDGFR and FGFR inhibitors in clinical development.