TY - JOUR
T1 - Available evidence and new biological perspectives on medical treatment of advanced thymic epithelial tumors
AU - Serpico, D.
AU - Trama, A.
AU - Haspinger, E. R.
AU - Agustoni, F.
AU - Botta, L.
AU - Berardi, R.
AU - Palmieri, G.
AU - Zucali, P.
AU - Gallucci, R.
AU - Broggini, M.
AU - Gatta, G.
AU - Pastorino, U.
AU - Pelosi, G.
AU - De braud, F.
AU - Garassino, Marina C.
PY - 2015/5/1
Y1 - 2015/5/1
N2 - Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are rare primary mediastinal tumors arising from thymic epithelium. Their rarity and complexity hinder investigations of their causes and therapy development. Here, we summarize the existing knowledge regarding medical treatment of these tumors, and thoroughly review the known genetic aberrations associated with TETs and the present status of potential biological treatments. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), stem-cell factor receptor, insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF1R), and vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF-A, VEGF-B, and VEGF-2) are overexpressed in TETs. EGFR overexpression in TETs is associated with higher stage, and IGF1R overexpression has poor prognostic value. Data indicate that anti-IGF1R monoclonal antibodies, and inhibitors of angiogenesis, somatostatin receptors, histone deacetylase, mammalian target of rapamycin, and cyclin-dependent kinases may be active against TETs. Continued investigations in this field could lead to advancement of targeted and biological therapies for TETs.
AB - Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are rare primary mediastinal tumors arising from thymic epithelium. Their rarity and complexity hinder investigations of their causes and therapy development. Here, we summarize the existing knowledge regarding medical treatment of these tumors, and thoroughly review the known genetic aberrations associated with TETs and the present status of potential biological treatments. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), stem-cell factor receptor, insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF1R), and vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF-A, VEGF-B, and VEGF-2) are overexpressed in TETs. EGFR overexpression in TETs is associated with higher stage, and IGF1R overexpression has poor prognostic value. Data indicate that anti-IGF1R monoclonal antibodies, and inhibitors of angiogenesis, somatostatin receptors, histone deacetylase, mammalian target of rapamycin, and cyclin-dependent kinases may be active against TETs. Continued investigations in this field could lead to advancement of targeted and biological therapies for TETs.
KW - Biological agents
KW - Chemotherapy
KW - Targeted therapy
KW - Thymic carcinoma
KW - Thymic epithelial tumors
KW - Thymoma
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U2 - 10.1093/annonc/mdu527
DO - 10.1093/annonc/mdu527
M3 - Article
C2 - 25411417
AN - SCOPUS:84929077760
VL - 26
SP - 838
EP - 847
JO - Annals of Oncology
JF - Annals of Oncology
SN - 0923-7534
IS - 5
M1 - mdu527
ER -