Abstract

The rapidly expanding knowledge of the pathogenesis of a variety of forms of cancer at the molecular level is now providing new targets for drug discovery and development. This has enabled us to successfully develop rationally designed therapies for cancer patients, and the results of their clinical evaluation are now becoming available. The optimal clinical development of target-based anticancer drugs will require fundamental changes to the way trials are designed, outcome is evaluated, and patients are selected to receive therapy. A thorough knowledge of what is accomplished so far is the cornerstone to optimally develop and implement these new strategies.

Keywords: targeted therapy, egfr, her2, vegfr