title: Predictive and prognostic molecular markers in outcome of esophageal cancer.
abstract: Despite improvements in detection, surgical resection and (neo-) adjuvant therapy, the overall survival in esophageal cancer remains lower than in other solid tumors. In fact, less than 20% of patients with advanced esophageal cancer benefit from a neoadjuvant therapy. Therefore predictive/prognostic markers are needed to allow tailored (radio-) chemotherapy with increased efficacy and decreased toxicity. Recently potential predictive/prognostic factors have been characterized by innovative molecular-based technologies. These factors include growth-factor receptors, enzymes of angiogenesis, tumor suppressor genes, cell cycle regulators, enzymes involved in the DNA repair system, in apoptosis and in the degradation of extracellular matrix. The results of these mostly retrospective studies are promising but prospective studies are needed to validate those markers in the multimodal therapy of esophageal cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Visceral and Vascular Surgery, University of Cologne, Medical Center, Germany.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vallböhmer
authors.forename: H-J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lenz
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 / Q000502:physiology; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D004260:DNA Repair / Q000502:physiology; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D015870:Gene Expression; D016158:Genes, p53 / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000502:physiology; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology; D011379:Prognosis; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C493956:CDKN1A protein, human; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases