Translational research in pancreatic cancer. Highlights from the "44th ASCO Annual Meeting". Chicago, IL, USA. May 30 - June 3, 2008.
Pancreatic cancer is an international problem because of its increasing incidence worldwide. The incidence and age-adjusted mortality rates are almost equal, underscoring the aggressive nature of the disease. Although efforts are being made to unveil the principles governing the initiation and progression of this cancer, and to identify the factors that confer its particular aggressiveness, the exact succession of molecular events underlying the development of this devastating malignancy has remained unsolved. The management of pancreatic cancer is, therefore, an ongoing challenge. Many translational studies were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) this year. The author summarizes few of them including: polymorphisms of genes involved in gemcitabine metabolism correlate with prognosis in patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer, diagnostic performance of MUC1 for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and use of whole genome expression analysis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma to predict prognosis after surgery. Pancreatic cancer remains a dismal disease and early diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets are urgently needed.
Saif
Muhammad Wasif
MW
Medical Oncology, Yale University School of Medicine. New Haven, CT, USA. wasif.saif@yale.edu
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen / Q000097:blood; D021441:Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D018396:Mucin-1 / Q000097:blood; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015996:Survival Rate; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen; D018396:Mucin-1; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000093542:Gemcitabine