Institute for Medical Education and Research, Madelyn Trupkin Herzfeld, IMER, imer, imier, Miami, Florida, Nursing CE's, Nursing contact hours, nursing education, continuing education, medical research and education, Oncology, Postgraduate credit, oncology nurses, nurses, symposia, symposium, online educational credit, Breast Cancer, Cancer, cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Targeting EGFR, EGFR Inhibitors, egfr inhibitors, head and neck cancer, Anti-VEGF, VEGF Inhibitors, vegf inhibitors, lung cancer, head cancer, CINV, cinv, Chemotherapy Induced Nausea & Vomiting, chemotherapy, nausea, vomiting, mucositis, cancer pain, chronic pain  
   
 

Targeting Cellular Signaling Pathways in Breast Cancer: Scientific Foundation

Oncology Highlights 2006: Targeted Therapy for Breast Cancer

Volume 1, Number 1
Release date: January, 2007 - Expiration date: January 2008
Estimated time to complete activity: 1.25 hours
Educational credits: 1.2 contact hours

Click here for a Printer friendly file.

Maureen Major Campos, RN, MS

Cancer treatment has entered a new era, propelled by major advances in the understanding of the molecular basis of disease and the results of the human genome project (National Human Genome Research Institute, 2005). The molecular revolution is rapidly identifying the fundamentals of cellular and genetic physiology, resulting in increased knowledge about the biological aberrations that lead to disease. This knowledge is being used in the development of therapeutic agents designed to attack precise molecular targets and disrupt cellular disease processes. Pathways that promote cancer are the prime targets of these new therapeutic interventions.

BREAST CANCER
In 2005, more than 211,000 women in the United States were diagnosed with breast cancer, which remains the most common cancer of women in their reproductive years (American Cancer Society, 2005). In the United States, 25% of breast cancers occur in premenopausal women; 15% occur in women less than 45 years of age (Oktay, Buyuk, Libertella, Akar, & Rosenwaks, 2005). Despite advances in the early detection and treatment of breast cancer, more than 40,000 women will die of this disease in 2006 (American Cancer Society, 2006). New treatments, including targeted therapies, are making inroads in improving the outlook for breast cancer patients.

ONCOGENESIS
Malignant tumors rely upon numerous processes to become established and grow; these processes include cell dedifferentiation (i.e., regression of cells to a simpler, unspecified form), growth dysregulation, angiogenesis, unlimited cell division, loss of apoptosis (i.e., programmed cell death), invasion, and metastasis (Figure 1). In general, cancer cells lose their responsiveness to the growth restraints that influence normal cells while developing the ability to promote their own growth and spread. A unique combination of molecular events constitutes the disease process within each tumor and each individual cancer patient. Now that these molecules can be identified and disrupted by targeted agents, a sophisticated approach to cancer treatment has emerged that exploits knowledge about cancer origin, growth, and spread. As the molecules and mechanisms supporting tumor growth are identified and characterized, increasingly specific treatments can be tailored to each individual patient. Accumulating evidence from clinical trials indicates that, in general, multiple-agent approaches provide better results than single-agent regimens. Clinicians are now challenged to find the most effective combination of agents for each patient while minimizing toxicities to obtain optimal results.


Page 1
  Nursing Management of Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Targeted Therapies

Overview

This activity is supported by an
educational grant from Genentech BioOncology.

 

 

  
   

© Copyright 2003 – 2008 Institute for Medical Education & Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved.