Biologically targeted cancer therapy and marginal benefits: are we making too much of too little or are we achieving too little by giving too much?

Abstract

We describe the development and approval of biologically targeted agents in the clinic through examples chosen from the experience with inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) and VEGF pathways. Despite extensive biological rationale for the use of these classes of molecules, marginal clinical benefits have been observed in broad patient populations, and the agents have entered into general clinical practice. We discuss why this situation is unsatisfactory because marginal general benefit may often be at the expense of toxicity to nonbenefiting or even harmed patients. Finally, we point out that emerging technologies bring the promise of allowing the identification of patients who might potentially benefit from a therapy. However, development of this technology will not move forward without broader recognition of its need by the range of stakeholders, including patients, advocates, academic and private oncologists, drug sponsors, and those who develop drugs and diagnostic tests.