Receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are a diverse group of transmembrane proteins involved in signal transduction. Their function in many cell types is to drive a wide variety of cellular functions, including growth, differentiation and angiogenesis, by transducing growth factor signals from the external milieu to intracellular processes. In malignancies, these pathways are often exploited by tumor cells to optimize tumor growth and metastasis. Indeed, alterations in RTK pathways have been implicated in oncogenic activation, tumor angiogenesis and mitogenic stimulation. Thus, RTKs are logical targets for novel anticancer agent development. There are currently a large number of small-molecule RTK antagonists in phase I to III clinical development. These agents inhibit the intracellular tyrosine kinase activity of receptors for epidermal growth factor (EGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and fibroblast growth factor (FGF). The biology and results of clinical trials with these agents will be discussed.