Rational drug design based on mutation.
We were very excited to hear about a drug in Phase III clinical trials that been reported to have a 70% response rate for metastatic melanoma! In the Dec 18 2009 issue of Science, writer Ken Garber in "Melanoma Drug Vindicates Targeted Approach" talks about the drug, PLX4032. It interrupts tumor cell signaling by targeting the BRAF gene that has the V600E mutation--a mutation that is common in melanoma cells. High response rate; targeted therapy; personalized medicine...yes!
With the advent of the sequencing of the entire melanoma genome and lung cancer genome in cell lines (Jan 11 blog) we hope to be able to see more targeted drugs. (Written with PharmGKB curator, Connie Oshiro).
With the advent of the sequencing of the entire melanoma genome and lung cancer genome in cell lines (Jan 11 blog) we hope to be able to see more targeted drugs. (Written with PharmGKB curator, Connie Oshiro).