Molecular genetic tumor markers in non-small cell lung cancer.
Not only serum tumor markers, such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) and carbohydrate antigen (CA) 125, but also serum growth factors have been examined to evaluate tumor stages and to predict the recurrence and metastasis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (1-5). In recent years, the analysis of the genome and proteome has advanced remarkably. An array of molecular genetic tumor markers (MGTMs) have been identified based on the biological characterization of tumors, such as tumor development, growth, invasion and metastasis. Molecular genetic tumor marker research has also entered a new era, since comprehensive gene profile analysis using cDNA microarrays and comprehensive protein expression analysis using proteomics technology have been developed. On the other hand, the frequency of lung cancer patients with which various tumor markers are associated is increasing in Japan (6-8). This paper reviews MGTMs characteristic of lung cancer and clarifies the clinical usefulness and applications of MGTM for cancer treatment.
Oyama
Tsunehiro
T
Department of Surgery II and Environmental Health, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan. oyama@med.uoeh-u.ac.jp
Osaki
Toshihiro
T
Baba
Tetsuro
T
Nagata
Yoshika
Y
Mizukami
Makiko
M
So
Tetsuya
T
Nakata
Shoji
S
Ichiki
Yoshinobu
Y
Uramoto
Hidetaka
H
Sugaya
Masakazu
M
Yoshimatsu
Takashi
T
Morita
Masaru
M
Hanagiri
Takeshi
T
Sugio
Kenji
K
Kawamoto
Toshihiro
T
Yasumoto
Kosei
K
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018390:Gene Targeting; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009857:Oncogenes
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor