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High-throughput technologies have been developed in hopes of increasing the pace of biomedical research, accelerating the rate of translation from bench to bedside. Using such technology in target discovery has necessitated validation of the targets in an equally rapid manner. This review looks at the role of tissue microarrays in validating potential tumor biomarkers, now and in the future.
Among the most intensely studied new agents are the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors. This review focuses on how radiosensitization of tumors by EGFR inhibitors may be mediated, with reference to cell proliferation, survival, angiogenesis, and DNA repair. Defining the signals involved in radiosensitization could potentially predicting response and guide approaches to combine further novel regimens.
Gene-expression profiles are now being used as classifiers of patients' prognosis and response to therapy but the development of classifiers is subject to many pitfalls. This Viewpoint discusses ways to improve development, stressing the importance of internal and external validation.