Molecular Biology: Are We Getting Any Closer to Providing Clinically Useful Information?

Overview

Journal Clin Colon Rectal Surg

Date 2017 Nov 30

PMID 29184477

Citations 4

Authors

Georgios Karagkounis

Matthew F Kalady

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Advances in molecular biology and biomarker research have significantly impacted our understanding and treatment of multiple solid malignancies. In rectal cancer, where neoadjuvant chemoradiation is widely used for locally advanced disease, most efforts have focused on the identification of predictors of response in an attempt to appropriately select patients for multimodality therapy. A variety of biomarkers have been studied, including genetic mutations, chromosomal copy number alterations, and single as well as multigene expression patterns. Also, as transanal resection of rectal tumors requires accurate preoperative detection of lymph node metastasis, the identification of biomarkers of regional nodal involvement has been another important field of active research. While preliminary results have been promising, lack of external validation means has a limited translation to clinical use. This review summarizes recent developments in rectal cancer biomarker research, highlighting the challenges associated with their adoption, and evaluating their potential for clinical use.

Citing Articles

Transcriptomic Analyses of Pretreatment Tumor Biopsy Samples, Response to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy, and Survival in Patients With Advanced Rectal Cancer.

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CoA Synthase () Mediates Radiation Resistance via PI3K Signaling in Rectal Cancer.

Ferrandon S, DeVecchio J, Duraes L, Chouhan H, Karagkounis G, Davenport J Cancer Res. 2019; 80(2):334-346.

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Radiogenomics of rectal adenocarcinoma in the era of precision medicine: A pilot study of associations between qualitative and quantitative MRI imaging features and genetic mutations.

Horvat N, Veeraraghavan H, Pelossof R, Fernandes M, Arora A, Khan M Eur J Radiol. 2019; 113:174-181.

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Meta-analysis of the prognostic value of CpG island methylator phenotype in rectal cancer.

Kokelaar R, Jones H, Beynon J, Evans M, Harris D Int J Colorectal Dis. 2018; 33(8):995-1000.

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