Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer - Investigative Agents

Investigative Agents

According to a 2001 article, of the nearly 500 cancer drugs currently in development, 58 of them (about 13%) are aimed at fighting lung cancer. (Only the number of breast cancer drugs exceeded that percentage.) Unfortunately, none to date have shown any significant impact on patient survival. Still, some are showing promise, and at this time these agents are best hope for improving lung cancer survival rates.

Monoclonal Antibodies (MAbs)

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) are genetically designed immune factors that target foreign compounds called antigens for attack by the immune system. Trastuzumab (Herceptin), cetuximab (Erbitux), and bevacizumab (Avastin) are MAbs that block epidermal growth factor are under investigation. These agents are of particular interest for patients who have cancers that overexpress a protein called HER2. Trials showing some promise employ these agents in combination with chemotherapies and newer drugs, such as the tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Antisense Oligonucleotide

Antisense oligonucleotides are drugs that are being used to block molecules that result in genetically overexpressed cells that cause cancers. LY900003 (Affinitak), for example, targets an enzyme called PKC-alpha, which promotes tumor growth. Early studies showed some promising results although a 2003 study found no difference in effectiveness when used in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy compared to the chemotherapy alone.

Oblimersen (G3139) blocks BCL-2, another protein that is genetically overexpressed in some cancers, is also under investigation.

Genetic Therapy

Advexin, a genetic therapy that contains the p53 tumor-suppressor gene is showing promise. In one early study, 60% of patients experienced partial or total tumor regression when the agent was used in combination with radiation therapy.

Vaccines

Vaccines use inactivated genetic materials from cancer cells, such as defective p53 or ras genes, to provoke a highly targeted immune response to attack the cancer.

Retinoids

Retinoids are vitamin A-like antioxidant chemicals that help repair cell damage and appear to support growth of lung cells. A number of retinoid-like agents (retinal palmitate, TAC-101, 23-cis-retinoic acid, N-acetyl-cysteine) are being evaluated to treat or prevent lung cancer.