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MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-protein-coding RNAs that can repress the expression of important cancer-related genes. The mutation or mis-expression of several miRNAs is evident in human cancers, so will these novel RNAs prove useful in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer?
Manyin vivomodels of human cancer are available, each with specific advantages and drawbacks. Paul Khavari describes progress in using the skin as a model tissue for experimentally induced human-tissue neoplasia in a three-dimensionally faithful context in mice.
Breast cancer that is diagnosed relatively soon after a pregnancy is associated with a poor prognosis. Could changes in the mammary microenvironment, such as the remodelling of the mammary gland to its pre-pregnant state, increase tumour-cell dissemination?
This paper examines recent advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of thyroid cancer. This will help the diagnosis and therapy of what is one of the few malignancies whose incidence is increasing.
Tyrosine phopshorylation is controlled by protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), and recent evidence has shown that some PTPs can function as tumour suppressors whereas others can be oncogenic. Understanding how these enzymes function might aid the development of new anticancer agents.
Polo-like kinase 1 is a cell-cycle regulator whose overexpression has prognostic value in cancer. Its unique structural features make it a promising target for drug development.
How do cancer patients decide whether to take part in clinical trials? Gordon Jayson and John Harris discuss the rules and realities concerning confidentiality, informed consent and protection of patients.
