Tarceva (erlotinib) and Iressa (gefitnib) are both agents targeted against the EGFR pathway. This pathway is involved in cell growth and replication and when mutated or altered, excessive replication of cells can occur. These agents reduce the uncontrolled replication and growth of cancer cells by blocking mutated EGFR pathways.

According to an article published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the targeted agent Tarceva may provide anticancer responses for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who stop responding to Iressa. These drugs are not associated with the side effects of chemotherapy, providing an effective alternative for patients who are not eligible for standard therapy.

A study was done to evaluate the effectiveness of Tarceva among patients who stopped responding to Iressa. The researchers concluded that -- Patients with NSCLC who demonstrate disease control with Iressa and do not have EGFR mutations appear to have benefit from treatment with Tarceva once their cancer progresses following their treatment with Iressa. Patients with recurrent NSCLC may wish to speak with their physician regarding their individual risks and benefits of treatment with Tarceva.

One in 18 men and women will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer during their lifetimes -- that translates into more than 150,000 people diagnosed and more than 52,000 colorectal cancer deaths each year, securing the disease as the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States.

Fortunately, mortality rates for this disease have been declining due to earlier screenings, awareness of symptoms, removal of polyps, and improved treatments through advances in research discoveries -- like today's genetic breakthroughs.

In a recent study, researchers identified a cell pathway critical in the development of colon cancer and also lung and stomach cancers.

STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) is the newest discovery and is a target regulated by PRPRT (receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase T), already identified to be mutated in these cancers.

"The role of protein tyrosine phosphatase in cancer is still an under-explored area," says Zhenghe John Wang, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Genetics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and Case Comprehensive Cancer Center.

"Our study shows that receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase T regulates an important signaling pathway that is critical in cancer development. This identification will allow new approaches to pharmacological designs and facilitate alternative approaches for cancer treatment."

This study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS Online Edition Feb. 20-23, 2007), provides new hope for the development of drugs that will target this potentially deadly disease.