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New Directions in the Treatment of Cancer: Inhibition of Signal TransductionDepartment of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacy Administration, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, 600 S 43rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19104, r.finley{at}usip.edu In recent years, it has become increasingly apparent that proteins regulated by activated oncogenes or mutated tumor suppressor genes are responsible for the transformation of normal cells to malignant cells as well as for malignant characteristics such as uncontrolled cellular proliferation and the development of metastases. These proteins may be soluble factors, receptors on cell surfaces, or intracellular enzymes that produce signals that stimulate cellular development or proliferation. This process is called signal transduction.In many cases, increased amounts of these proteins have been demonstrated in cancer cells (over normal cells) and have been found to carry prognostic significance. New approaches in cancer treatment are being designed to block such proteins; this approach is termed signal transduction inhibition. !Specific protein targets that anticancer therapies have been developed to inhibit include epidermal growth factor receptors, tyrosine kinase, farnesyl transferase, and various promoters of angiogenesis.
Key Words: signal transduction epidermal growth factor receptor cancer treatment antiangiogenesis
Journal of Pharmacy Practice, Vol. 15, No. 1,
5-16 (2002) |
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