Emerging Novel Therapeutic Agents in the Treatment of Patients with Gastroesophageal and Gastric Adenocarcinoma

With further understanding of the biology of gastric and gastroesophageal adenocarcinomas, strides are being made to find effective treatments through novel trial designs. This article focuses on the ongoing trials of drugs targeting specific hallmarks of gastric and gastroesophageal cancers, including oncogene addiction proliferative pathways (fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 amplified tumors), stem cell inhibition, apoptotic induction through claudin inhibitors, and matrix metalloproteinase inhibition. In developing novel therapeutics in treatment of patients with gastroesophageal adenocarcinomas, parallel research efforts to refine target population and biomarkers are crucial, and targeting the tumor genomics and microenvironment may be key in improving overall survival.

Key points

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With further understanding of the biology of gastric and gastroesophageal adenocarcinomas (GC), strides are being made to find effective treatments through novel trial designs.
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This article focuses on the ongoing trials of drugs targeting specific hallmarks of gastric and gastroesophageal cancers, including oncogene addiction proliferative pathways (fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 amplified tumors), stem cell inhibition, apoptotic induction through claudin inhibitors, and matrix metalloproteinase inhibition.
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In developing novel therapeutics in treatment of patients with GC, it is clear that parallel research efforts to refine target population and biomarkers are crucial, and targeting the tumor genomics and microenvironment may be key in improving overall survival.