title: Nodal expression and detection in cancer: experience and challenges.
abstract: Nodal is a TGF-β-related embryonic morphogen that is expressed in multiple human cancers. Detection of Nodal expression in these tissues can be challenging if issues related to Nodal transcription and protein processing are not considered. Here, we discuss certain characteristics related to Nodal expression and function and how these can facilitate acquisition and interpretation of expression data, contributing to our understanding of the potential role of Nodal in human cancer. We also discuss how Nodal could be exploited clinically as a novel biomarker for cancer progression and therapeutic target.
authors.affiliation: Children's Memorial Research Center, Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60614, USA.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Strizzi
authors.forename: Katharine M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Hardy
authors.forename: Dawn A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Kirschmann
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ahrlund-Richter
authors.forename: Mary J C
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hendrix
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms; D055457:Nodal Protein / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: C526007:NODAL protein, human; D055457:Nodal Protein