Onkologie. 2009:3(5):292-296

Biological therapy of non-small cell lung carcinoma

prof. MUDr. Petr Zatloukal CSc

Klinika pneumologie a hrudní chirurgie, FN Na Bulovce, 3. LF UK Praha, IPVZ Praha

With the advent of third-generation drugs in the 1990s, major advances were made in the treatment of non-small cell lung carcinoma;

however, standard cytostatic therapy has not shown any further significant improvement in therapeutic outcomes and may well have

reached its limits.

Therefore, research is focused on drugs that specifically react with the cell signalling molecules, either of tumour cells directly or inhibit

vessel formation in the tumour. In addition to a different mechanism of action, they differ from standard chemotherapy in the more

favourable spectrum of adverse events. Erlotinib, gefitinib, and bevacizumab have been introduced into practice and authorised in the

EU. Dozens of other drugs are in various phases of clinical research.

Keywords: non-small cell lung carcinoma, biological therapy, bevacizumab, erlotinib, gefitinib.

Published: December 1, 2009  Show citation