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Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy for Gynecologic Cancer

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Book cover Precision Medicine in Gynecology and Obstetrics

Part of the book series: Comprehensive Gynecology and Obstetrics ((CGO))

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Abstract

Numerous agents that target specific gynecologic cancer-related molecules have been developed and are now entering clinical trials. These agents target aberrant molecules/processes in tumor tissues, including angiogenesis, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), human epidermal growth factor receptor family, phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, and a-folate receptor (a-FR). The anti-angiogenic compound bevacizumab is reportedly the most effective targeted agent for ovarian cancer. Bevacizumab plus chemotherapy prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) both for first-line treatment and recurrent ovarian cancer and may increase overall survival (OS) among high-risk patients. Bevacizumab with nonplatinum chemotherapy also prolonged OS in recurrent cervical cancer. Maintenance treatment with a PARP inhibitor, olaparib, improved PFS in platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer. Furthermore, mTOR inhibitor therapy, alone or with chemotherapy, is an attractive treatment strategy for endometrial cancer. An understanding of tumor molecular biology and identification of predictive biomarkers are essential steps in optimal treatment selection. This article reviews available clinical data of the most promising targeted agents for gynecologic cancer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Iwate Medical University School of Medicine, 19-1 Uchimaru, Morioka-City, Iwate, 020–8505, Japan

    Hiroaki Itamochi M.D., Ph.D. & Toru Sugiyama M.D., Ph.D.

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  1. Hiroaki Itamochi M.D., Ph.D.
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  2. Toru Sugiyama M.D., Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Toru Sugiyama M.D., Ph.D. .

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  1. National Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto, Japan

    Ikuo Konishi

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Itamochi, H., Sugiyama, T. (2017). Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy for Gynecologic Cancer. In: Konishi, I. (eds) Precision Medicine in Gynecology and Obstetrics. Comprehensive Gynecology and Obstetrics. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-2489-4_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-2489-4_3

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