title: Inhibition of human esophageal squamous cell carcinomas by targeted silencing of tumor enhancer genes: an overview.
abstract: Esophageal cancer has been reported as the ninth most common malignancy and ranks as the sixth most frequent cause of death worldwide. Esophageal cancer treatment involves surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or combination therapy. Novel strategies are needed to boost the oncologic outcome. Recent advances in the molecular biology of esophageal cancer have documented the role of genetic alterations in tumorigenesis. Oncogenes serve a pivotal function in tumorigenesis. Targeted therapies are directed at the unique molecular signature of cancer cells for enhanced efficacy with low toxicity. RNA interference (RNAi) technology is a powerful tool for silencing endogenous or exogenous genes in mammalian cells. Related results have shown that targeting oncogenes with siRNAs, specifically the mRNA, effectively reduces tumor cell proliferation and induces apoptotic cell death. This article will briefly review studies on silencing tumor enhancer genes related to the induction of esophageal cancer.
authors.affiliation: 1 Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tabriz, East Asarbeidjan, Iran ; 2 Department of Radiation, School of Paramedicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ; 3 Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Jalil Pirayesh
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Islamian
authors.affiliation: 1 Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tabriz, East Asarbeidjan, Iran ; 2 Department of Radiation, School of Paramedicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ; 3 Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mohammadi
authors.affiliation: 1 Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tabriz, East Asarbeidjan, Iran ; 2 Department of Radiation, School of Paramedicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ; 3 Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Behzad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Baradaran
keywords: Esophageal carcinoma; ionizing radiation (IR); oncogene; siRNA; targeted therapy