PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review highlights the numerous molecular biology findings in the field of lung cancer with potential therapeutic impact in both the near and distant future. RECENT FINDINGS: Abundant preclinical and clinical data indicate that BRCA1 mRNA expression is a differential modulator of chemotherapy sensitivity. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the excision repair cross-complementing 1 gene (ERCC1) influence survival with cisplatin-based chemotherapy. For the first time, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations have been shown to predict dramatic responses in metastatic lung adenocarcinomas. The crosstalk between estrogen and EGFR pathways have also been revealed. MicroRNAs control the expression of cognate target genes and predict relapse in surgically resected non-small-cell lung cancer patients. Overexpression of the Wingless-type (Wnt) genes and methylation of Wnt antagonists have been documented in non-small-cell lung cancer. SUMMARY: Understanding the relevance of these findings can help to change the clinical practice in oncology towards customizing chemotherapy and targeted therapies, leading to improvement both in survival and in cost-effectiveness.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review highlights the numerous molecular biology findings in the field of lung cancer with potential therapeutic impact in both the near and distant future. RECENT FINDINGS: Abundant preclinical and clinical data indicate that BRCA1 mRNA expression is a differential modulator of chemotherapy sensitivity. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the excision repair cross-complementing 1 gene (ERCC1) influence survival with cisplatin-based chemotherapy. For the first time, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations have been shown to predict dramatic responses in metastatic lung adenocarcinomas. The crosstalk between estrogen and EGFR pathways have also been revealed. MicroRNAs control the expression of cognate target genes and predict relapse in surgically resected non-small-cell lung cancerpatients. Overexpression of the Wingless-type (Wnt) genes and methylation of Wnt antagonists have been documented in non-small-cell lung cancer. SUMMARY: Understanding the relevance of these findings can help to change the clinical practice in oncology towards customizing chemotherapy and targeted therapies, leading to improvement both in survival and in cost-effectiveness.
Authors: Z Sun; J Chen; J Aakre; R S Marks; Y Y Garces; R Jiang; O Idowu; J M Cunningham; Y Liu; V S Pankratz; P Yang Journal: Ann Oncol Date: 2010-05-03 Impact factor: 32.976
Authors: Pier Luigi Filosso; Alberto Sandri; Alberto Oliaro; Andrea Riccardo Filippi; Maria Carla Cassinis; Umberto Ricardi; Paolo Olivo Lausi; Sofia Asioli; Enrico Ruffini Journal: Lung Cancer (Auckl) Date: 2011-06-08
Authors: Xin Wang; Jun Zhao; Lu Yang; Li Mao; Tongtong An; Hua Bai; Shuhang Wang; Xuyi Liu; Guoshuang Feng; Jie Wang Journal: Med Oncol Date: 2009-06-02 Impact factor: 3.064