Therapeutic potential of directed tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy in sarcomas.

BACKGROUND Sarcomas are rare mesenchymally derived tumors for which there are limited treatment options. This paper discusses the current therapeutic potential of directed tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in sarcoma. METHODS The authors review antibody-based strategies and small molecular inhibitors of TKIs, with specific emphasis placed on the potential use of these targeted agents as therapeutic options for the treatment of sarcomas that are not gastrointestinal stromal tumors. RESULTS Many TKs have been shown to be mutated or overexpressed in human sarcoma tumors and cell lines and may serve as potential targets for promising new sarcoma therapies. Furthermore, the novel mechanism of targeting TKs may complement the antitumor activity of existing sarcoma treatment options. CONCLUSIONS TKIs such as imatinib, sunitinib, and sorefanib are promising new therapeutic options for the management of patients with soft tissue sarcoma.