[Targeted therapy of sarcomas]

Bull Cancer. 2008 Oct;95(10):963-74. doi: 10.1684/bdc.2008.0730.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Recent progress made in the field of sarcoma biology has shed new light on the pathophysiology of these numerous but rare diseases. Soft tissue sarcomas can be divided into 6 sub-types based on the underlying molecular biology of the disease: 1) translocation leading to fusion proteins involving transcription factors or growth factors (Ewing sarcoma, myxoid liposarcoma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans); 2) tyrosine kinase receptor mutations (gastrointestinal stromal tumors); 3) tumor-suppressor gene deletion (type 1 neurofibromatosis, rhabdoid tumors); 4) genetic alteration such as amplification of chromosomal regions (well differentiated/dedifferentiated liposarcoma); 5) sarcomas with more complex genetic alterations (leiomyosarcoma) and 6) abnormalities involving the cell-adhesion pathways (aggressive fibromatosis). Together with the current development of numerous targeted therapies, these recent progress are the basis of tomorrow's personalised medicine for patients with soft tissue sarcoma.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / drug therapy*
  • Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / genetics
  • Humans
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Sarcoma / classification
  • Sarcoma / drug therapy*
  • Sarcoma / genetics

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors