Great advances were made in the pharmacologic-based treatment of cancer in prior decades. However, despite a marked increase in our understanding ofcell and molecular mechanisms underlying the neoplastic process, therapy for advanced disease remains limited. While the reasons for this are many, it is generally accepted that advanced neoplasms contain a relatively large number of genetic and molecularalterations contributingto the maintenanceofthe neoplastic process. Such a situation precludes easy pharmacologic intervention. However, our ability to detect cancer at an earlier stage, coupled...

Great advances were made in the pharmacologic-based treatment of cancer in prior decades. However, despite a marked increase in our understanding ofcell and molecular mechanisms underlying the neoplastic process, therapy for advanced disease remains limited. While the reasons for this are many, it is generally accepted that advanced neoplasms contain a relatively large number of genetic and molecularalterations contributingto the maintenanceofthe neoplastic process. Such a situation precludes easy pharmacologic intervention. However, our ability to detect cancer at an earlier stage, coupled...