Reviews & Analysis

This article examines whether heterochromatic instability might explain the loss of the heterochromatic inactive X chromosome (Barr body) in some breast and ovarian cancers. Might this mechanism have wider implications for the evolution of some cancer types?

A role for oestrogen has been implicated in the development of prostate cancer, but this role is complex. Should selective oestrogen-receptor modulators in conjunction with contemporary androgen-ablation therapy be used to treat this disease?

The advent of microarray technology has led to a flurry of gene-expression profiling studies aimed at defining patients into more clinically-relevant groups at the same time as gaining new insights into cancer pathology. This is particularly evident for breast cancer research. What are the current limitations and future prospects for the translation of molecular signatures?

The protein kinase C family of serine/threonine kinases is implicated in tumorigenesis. Although targeting these kinases for cancer therapy is not a new idea, the results from clincal trials with several agents have been disapointing. Why is this?

Angiogenesis inhibitors are now being used in the treatment of patients with cancer. However, these agents can lead to toxicities. This Perspective discusses these toxicities and the possible molecular mechanisms behind them.

How can we ensure that biomarkers for breast cancer are developed effectively and efficiently to aid the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of patients at risk from this disease?

As we have evolved, we have aquired several evolutionary traits that might increase our susceptibility to cancer development. Mel Greaves outlines the benefits of a Darwinian view of cancer biology, cause and treatment.

The microenvironment has a crucial role in cancer development, which suggests that microenvironmental targets should be investigated for chemoprevention. What are some of the potential targets and how might they be modulated?

The launch of phase '0' trials has generated much discussion in the cancer research community. This Perspective, written by scientists at the US National Cancer Institute, discusses the aims of these trials, gives some practical advice for conducting them and addresses several outstanding questions.

Recent data highlight the usefulness of the selective oestrogen-receptor modulators (SERMs) tamoxifen and raloxifene for the prevention of breast cancer. What have we learned about oestrogen modulation, and how can this inform the use of SERMs for both cancer therapy and prevention?

The peptidome is the range of low-molecular-weight peptides found in the bloodstream, and seems to differ between patients with and without cancer. How can the peptidome best be studied, and can it be used for cancer diagnostics?

There is evidence that apart from its ability to regulate the transcriptional activity of β-catenin, adenomatus polyposis coli (APC) has β-catenin-independent functions. Is the interaction of APC with cytoskeletal components important for cancer development and progression in the gut?

Clinical trials have shown that tumours have a modest response to EGFR inhibitors when used alone. Will they prove to be more effective when combined with radiotherapy or chemotherapy or both?

Most premenopausal women diagnosed with primary breast cancer receive adjuvant chemotherapy, and many experience chemotherapy-induced ovarian failure (CIOF). Can inherited genetic factors and a better understanding of the biology of CIOF be used to provide optimal counselling for these women?

Multiple mutations and alterations in the cancer genome lead to the deregulation of various cell-signalling pathways that control cell function. Can molecular-profiling studies be used to fully understand this complexity and provide an opportunity to link pathway deregulation with potential therapeutic strategies?

Drugs that target mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) have entered clinical trials for cancer treatment. However, current mTOR inhibitors have an unexpectedly complex mechanism of action. Can our emerging knowledge of this pathway be used to develop more effective mTOR-targeted therapies?

Recent findings have indicated that the tyrosine-kinase receptor MET is a sensor of adverse microenvironmental conditions (such as hypoxia), and can drive cell invasion and metastasis through the transcriptional activation of a set of genes that control blood coagulation.

What are the challenges in bringing cancer biomarkers to market? Steven Gutman and Larry Kessler, both of whom work at the US Food and Drugs Administration, share their views and expertise.

Immunotoxins are potent bacterial toxins fused to antibodies that bind tumour-specific antigens, and can dramatically improve the clinical utility of some anti-tumour antibodies. This review describes the construction and efficacy of several recombinant immunotoxins, using results from recent clinical trials.

The Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST) guidelines are crucial to the assessment of new anticancer agents, but are they adequate for evaluating the activity of the newest generation of cancer drugs?