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Translating cancer research into targeted therapeutics

Nature volume 467, pages 543–549 (2010)Cite this article

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Abstract

The emphasis in cancer drug development has shifted from cytotoxic, non-specific chemotherapies to molecularly targeted, rationally designed drugs promising greater efficacy and less side effects. Nevertheless, despite some successes drug development remains painfully slow. Here, we highlight the issues involved and suggest ways in which this process can be improved and expedited. We envision an increasing shift to integrated cancer research and biomarker-driven adaptive and hypothesis testing clinical trials. The goal is the development of specific cancer medicines to treat the individual patient, with treatment selection being driven by a detailed understanding of the genetics and biology of the patient and their cancer.

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Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4: Left panel, pre-treatment samples; right panel, post-treatment assay following patient treatment with PARP inhibitor olaparib.
Figure 5: Computerized axial tomography (CAT) scans of BRCA mutation carrier ovarian cancer patients treated with olaparib taken before (left), and after (right), olaparib treatment.
Figure 1: Proof of concept studies: castration resistant prostate cancer remains hormone driven and is highly sensitive to CYP17 blockade by abiraterone.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Institute of Cancer Research, Cotswold Road, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG, UK ,

    J. S. de Bono

  2. The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Downs Road, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5PT, UK ,

    J. S. de Bono

  3. The Breakthrough Breast Cancer Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, Fulham Road, London SW3 6JB, UK ,

    Alan Ashworth

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Both authors contributed equally to the generation of this manuscript.

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Correspondence to J. S. de Bono or Alan Ashworth.

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de Bono, J., Ashworth, A. Translating cancer research into targeted therapeutics. Nature 467, 543–549 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature09339

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