ZD1839 (Iressa™): For More Than Just Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Learning Objectives After completing this course, the reader will be able to:Recognize the basic biology and importance of the erbB family of growth factor receptors.Explain the current status of clinical development of ZD1839 in solid tumors other than non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Appreciate some of the future directions for clinical research for this class of anti-tumor agent. Access and take the CME test online and receive one hour of AMA PRA category 1 credit at CME.TheOncologist.com ZD1839 (Iressa™) is an orally active, selective epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor that blocks signal transduction pathways involved in cell proliferation. Preclinical studies demonstrated that ZD1839 is a promising agent for the treatment of a wide range of tumors and has additive-to-synergistic effects when combined with radiation or chemotherapy in various cell lines and xenografts. Phase I clinical trials have reported that ZD1839 has acceptable tolerability and antitumor activity. In addition to non-small cell lung cancer, phase II/III studies are currently investigating ZD1839 as monotherapy or in combination therapy against prostate, breast, head and neck, gastric, and colorectal tumors.