Friday, June 27th, 2008.

Journal of Thoracic Oncology. 2008 Jun;3(6 Suppl 2):S131-4. [Link]

Nikolinakos P, Heymach JV.

Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030-4009, USA. jheymach@mdanderson.org

Abstract

Cediranib (AZD2171; Recentin, AstraZeneca, Wilmington, Delaware) is a once-daily oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1, 2, and 3, c-KIT, and platelet-derived growth factor receptors. In preclinical testing it inhibits tumor angiogenesis and inhibits tumor growth in a wide range of tumor models. Phase 1 studies show cediranib to be generally well tolerated as monotherapy at doses of 45 mg/d or less, with a pharmacokinetic profile that supports once-daily oral administration and toxic effects consistent with those seen in other agents that target the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway. Encouraging results from phase 1 studies as monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy have prompted further investigation in several thoracic malignancies, including ongoing trials in malignant mesothelioma, small cell lung cancer, and an ongoing phase 2/3 trial in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in combination with chemotherapy. The NSCLC trials include patients with squamous cell histologic features and treated brain metastases, populations for which bevacizumab is currently not indicated. These trials will determine whether cediranib will join the growing armamentarium of therapeutic options for thoracic malignancies and broaden the number of patients with NSCLC who could potentially benefit from antiangiogenic therapy.

Glossary

therapy

any of the measures taken to treat a disease. Unproven therapy is any therapy that has not been scientifically tested and approved. Use of an unproven therapy instead of standard (proven) therapy is called alternative therapy. Some alternative therapies have dangerous or even life-threatening side effects. For others, the main danger is that a patient may lose the opportunity to benefit from standard therapy. Complementary therapy, on the other hand, refers to therapies used in addition to standard therapy. Some complementary therapies may help relieve certain symptoms of cancer, relieve side effects of standard cancer therapy, or improve a patient's sense of well-being. The ACS recommends that patients considering use of any alternative or complementary therapy discuss this with their health care team.

platelet

a part of the blood that helps it "stick together" (clot) to promote healing after an injury. Chemotherapy can cause a drop in the platelet count--a condition called thrombocytopenia.

oncology

(on-call-o-jee) the branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

chemotherapy

(key-mo-THER-uh-pee) treatment with drugs to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy is often used with surgery or radiation to treat cancer when the cancer has spread, when it has come back (recurred), or when there is a strong chance that it could recur.

cell

the basic unit of which all living things are made. Cells replace themselves by splitting and forming new cells (mitosis). The processes that control the formation of new cells and the death of old cells are disrupted in cancer.

cancer

malignancy; a group of diseases typified by abnormal, generally out-of-control, cell growth.

angiogenesis

(an-gee-o-JEN-uh-sis) the formation of new blood vessels. Some cancer treatments work by blocking angiogenesis, thus preventing blood from reaching the tumor.

tumor

an abnormal lump or mass of tissue. Tumors can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

mesothelioma

a tumor derived from mesothelial tissue, such as the peritoneum (lining the abdomen) or pleura (lining the lungs). More on mesothelioma.

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