[Recombinant proteins as therapeutic compounds in clinical oncology]

Fey, ; Martin, F (2011). [Recombinant proteins as therapeutic compounds in clinical oncology]. Therapeutische Umschau, 68(11), pp. 618-30. Bern: Huber 10.1024/0040-5930/a000222

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The in vitro production of recombinant protein molecules has fostered a tremendous interest in their clinical application for treatment and support of cancer patients. Therapeutic proteins include monoclonal antibodies, interferons, and haematopoietic growth factors. Clinically established monoclonal antibodies include rituximab (targeting CD20-positive B-cell lymphomas), trastuzumab (active in HER-2 breast and gastric cancer), and bevacizumab (blocking tumor-induced angiogenesis through blockade of vascular-endothelial growth factor and its receptor). Interferons have lost much of their initial appeal, since equally or more effective treatments with more pleasant side effects have become available, for example in chronic myelogenous leukaemia or hairy cell leukaemia. The value of recombinant growth factors, notably granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and erythropoietin is rather in the field of supportive care than in targeted anti-cancer therapy. Adequately powered clinical phase III trials are essential to estimate the true therapeutic impact of these expensive compounds, with appropriate selection of clinically relevant endpoints and sufficient follow-up. Monoclonal antibodies, interferons, and growth factors must also, and increasingly so, be subjected to close scrutiny by appropriate cost-effectiveness analyses to ensure that their use results in good value for money. With these caveats and under the condition of their judicious clinical use, recombinant proteins have greatly enriched the therapeutic armamentarium in clinical oncology, and their importance is likely to grow even further.

Item Type:	Journal Article (Original Article)
Division/Institute:	04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Haematology, Oncology, Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Medicine and Hospital Pharmacy (DOLS) > Clinic of Medical Oncology
UniBE Contributor:	Fey, Martin
ISSN:	0040-5930
Publisher:	Huber
Language:	German
Submitter:	Factscience Import
Date Deposited:	04 Oct 2013 14:20
Last Modified:	05 Dec 2022 14:05
Publisher DOI:	10.1024/0040-5930/a000222
PubMed ID:	22045524
URI:	https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/6456 (FactScience: 211422)