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Angiogenesis is one of the fundamental processes during tumor growth and disease progression, and is regulated by numerous molecular pathways, including, but not limited to, VEGF, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), endoglin (CD105), integrin αvβ3and E-selectin. All these pathways could serve as targets for molecular imaging, as outlined in this Viewpoint.
Population-based survival data can provide valuable comparative data on outcome but should be interpreted with caution. Ideally, data from the whole population, including clinical-only diagnoses, should be reported and the methods of case identification described. Erridge et al. highlight the need for methods of data collection and comparison to be as similar as possible, and for important factors related to the patient, tumor characteristics and treatment that might impact outcome to be reported.
There is no standard treatment forBRCA1/2carriers with a new diagnosis of breast cancer. Personal and family-history-based criteria do not accurately predict the probability of a positive test result and thresholds for deciding who should be tested vary considerably among countries. The authors of this Review discuss how preventive and therapeutic approaches can be tailored to individuals by integrating the latest translational and clinical research findings. They also propose an individualized management algorithm on the basis of existing evidence, and discuss the challenges related to genetic testing, prevention and treatment strategies.
The insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) signaling pathway is implicated in the development of cancer. IGF1R signaling has been found to correlate with resistance to anti-EGFR and HER2-based therapies in experimental systems. This Review highlights the most relevant studies in this exciting area of research, focusing in particular on the role of the IGF1R in the resistance of other receptor-targeted therapies.
For patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and brain metastasis, effective treatment strategies are required because systemic chemotherapy is usually ineffective. Pan and colleagues present the case of a 73-year-old man who was diagnosed with NSCLC with brain metastasis, who carried anEGFR mutation and was managed with erlotinib and whole-brain irradiation. The authors discuss the treatment options for patients with metastatic NSCLC and propose erlotinib as an appropriate therapy for patients with a high probability of harboring classic EGFRmutations.
Germline mutations inPTEN result in the uncommon Cowden Syndrome. Heterozygous mutations of SDH B, C and D are associated with the hereditary pheochromocytoma–paraganglioma syndrome. Zbuk et al. present the first-reported case of a woman with both PTEN and SDHCmutations, which resulted in multiple neoplasias. The authors highlight the need for predictive genetic tests and close clinical surveillance of patients with suspected Cowden or pheochromocytoma–paraganglioma syndromes.
