Table of contents
February 2006 Vol 6 No 2
Research Highlights
Biomarkers: Taking out the trash | PDF (105 KB)
p92 | doi:10.1038/nrc1807
In the news
New versus old | PDF (171 KB)
p93 | doi:10.1038/nrc1812
Microenvironment: A nurturing tumour? | PDF (171 KB)
p93 | doi:10.1038/nrc1813
Biomarkers: Different treatment | PDF (270 KB)
p94 | doi:10.1038/nrc1808
Apoptosis: Invasive loss | PDF (208 KB)
p94 | doi:10.1038/nrc1811
Chromosomal translocations: On the move | PDF (270 KB)
p94 | doi:10.1038/nrc1814
Trial Watch
Predicting treatment outcome | Predicting disease progression | PDF (128 KB)
p95 | doi:10.1038/nrc1809
Biomarkers: Marked aggression | PDF (94 KB)
p96 | doi:10.1038/nrc1806
In brief
Epigenetics | Signalling | Stem cells | Biomarkers | PDF (94 KB)
p96 | doi:10.1038/nrc1810
Focus on: Biomarkers
Reviews
Common markers of proliferation
Michael L. Whitfield, Lacy K. George, Gavin D. Grant & Charles M. Perou
p99 | doi:10.1038/nrc1802
When normal cells are compared to cancer cells by microarray analysis, the most obvious differences occur in the expression levels of genes that control cell proliferation. Can this 'proliferation signature' be used as a biomarker for cancer research and therapy?
Epigenetic gene silencing in cancer – a mechanism for early oncogenic pathway addiction?
Stephen B. Baylin & Joyce E. Ohm
p107 | doi:10.1038/nrc1799
Epigenetically mediated transcriptional-silencing events occur at key genes during the earliest stages of tumorigenesis. Understanding how these events alter cell signal transduction and function can provide useful clues to improve cancer detection, prevention and therapy.
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: a model for the pharmacogenomics of cancer therapy
Meyling H. Cheok & William E. Evans
p117 | doi:10.1038/nrc1800
Germline polymorphisms and gene-expression profiles in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) cells are emerging as useful clinical diagnostics for this disease. Lessons learnt from development of polygenic models for ALL might inform the optimization of treatment for other cancers.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for cancer prevention: promise, perils and pharmacogenetics
Cornelia M. Ulrich, Jeannette Bigler & John D. Potter
p130 | doi:10.1038/nrc1801
Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) show promise in colorectal cancer prevention, but there have been concerns about potential toxicity. Pharmacogenetic studies to establish an individual's risk– benefit ratio might allow tailoring of chemoprevention.
Perspectives
Opinion
Host genetics influence tumour metastasis
Kent Hunter
p141 | doi:10.1038/nrc1803
Recent evidence implies that germline polymorphisms might significantly influence the metastatic capacity of tumours. This article discusses whether, in the future, inherited, prospective metastatic biomarkers might be in common use for cancer prognosis and the selection of tailored tumour treatment.
Innovation
Mapping normal and cancer cell signalling networks: towards single-cell proteomics
Jonathan M. Irish, Nikesh Kotecha & Garry P. Nolan
p146 | doi:10.1038/nrc1804
Flow cytometry can be used to map signalling networks in individual cancer cells. This form of 'single-cell proteomics' can reveal important new information about the pathways that are activated in therapy-resistant cells and provide biomarkers for use in diagnosis and determining prognosis.
Review
Inherited disposition to cardiac myxoma development
David Wilkes, Konstantinos Charitakis & Craig T. Basson
p157 | doi:10.1038/nrc1798
Carney complex is a genetic condition in which affected individuals develop benign tumours in various tissues, including the heart. This review examines the genes implicated in the development of cardiac myxomas.
