Expert review of anticancer therapy
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Expert Rev Anticancer Ther · Feb 2006
ReviewBRCA1-associated complexes: new targets to overcome breast cancer radiation resistance.
Since BRCA1 was cloned a decade ago, significant progress has been made in defining its biochemical and biological functions, as well as its role in breast and ovarian cancers. BRCA1 has been implicated in many cellular processes, including DNA repair, cell cycle checkpoint control, protein ubiquitination and chromatin remodeling. ⋯ Finally, the possibility that BRCA1-associated proteins may serve as new targets for breast cancer radiation therapy is explored. The activation or inactivation of these BRCA1-associated proteins may modify both the risk of developing cancers in BRCA1 mutation carriers and the efficacy of breast cancer therapy, including radiation.
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Expert Rev Anticancer Ther · Feb 2006
ReviewSignificance of gene expression analysis of renal cell carcinoma.
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) describes a family of epithelial tumors arising from within the kidney. Each subtype of RCC presents a unique clinical picture with varied tumor biology, patient prognosis and response to treatment. Gene expression profiling offers the ability to analyze thousands of candidate genes in high-throughput arrays and has led to a greater knowledge of the molecular genetics of RCC. ⋯ Gene expression data also promise to advance current staging systems and improve prognostic information for patients and clinicians. Understanding the genetic signature of RCC tumors will allow for sophisticated application of systemic and targeted therapies, improving patient response and minimizing unnecessary exposure of patients to treatment toxicities. This article reviews the significance of gene expression analysis in the understanding of tumor biology and RCC treatment.