title: Genetic and molecular coordinates of neuroendocrine lung tumors, with emphasis on small-cell lung carcinomas.
abstract: The aim of this review is to present the advances in our understanding of the progression of tumorigenesis in neuroendocrine lung tumors. Current information on established and putative diagnostic and prognostic markers of neuroendocrine tumors are evaluated, with a special reference to small-cell lung carcinoma, due to its higher incidence and aggressive behavior. The genetic and molecular changes that accompany these neoplasms are highlighted, and factors that influence cell-cycle progression, apoptosis, drug resistance, and escape from immune surveillance are critically assessed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Marilena K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Koutsami
authors.forename: Ipatia
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Doussis-Anagnostopoulou
authors.forename: Athanasios G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Papavassiliou
authors.forename: Vassilis G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Gorgoulis
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000502:physiology; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000502:physiology; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000502:physiology; D019254:Genes, bcl-2 / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000503:physiopathology; D018358:Neuroendocrine Tumors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules