Systemic treatments for brain metastases from breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, melanoma and renal cell carcinoma: an overview of the literature

Cancer Treat Rev. 2014 Sep;40(8):951-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2014.05.007. Epub 2014 May 27.

Abstract

The frequency of metastatic brain tumors has increased over recent years; the primary tumors most involved are breast cancer, lung cancer, melanoma and renal cell carcinoma. While radiation therapy and surgery remain the mainstay treatment in selected patients, new molecular drugs have been developed for brain metastases. Studies so far report interesting results. This review focuses on systemic cytotoxic drugs and, in particular, on new targeted therapies and their clinically relevant activities in brain metastases from solid tumors in adults.

Keywords: Brain metastases; Breast cancer; Lung cancer; Melanoma; Renal cell carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Brain Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kidney Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Kidney Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Melanoma / drug therapy*
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents