title: Genotypic characteristics of resistant tumors to pre-operative ionizing radiation in rectal cancer.
abstract: Due to a wide range of clinical response in patients undergoing neo-adjuvant chemoradiation for rectal cancer it is essential to understand molecular factors that lead to the broad response observed in patients receiving the same form of treatment. Despite extensive research in this field, the exact mechanisms still remain elusive. Data raging from DNA-repair to specific molecules leading to cell survival as well as resistance to apoptosis have been investigated. Individually, or in combination, there is no single pathway that has become clinically applicable to date. In the following review, we describe the current status of various pathways that might lead to resistance to the therapeutic applications of ionizing radiation in rectal cancer.
authors.affiliation: Zeeshan Ramzan, Ammar B Nassri, Sergio Huerta, VA North Texas Healthcare System-Dallas VA Medical Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75216, United States.
authors.forename: Zeeshan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ramzan
authors.affiliation: Zeeshan Ramzan, Ammar B Nassri, Sergio Huerta, VA North Texas Healthcare System-Dallas VA Medical Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75216, United States.
authors.forename: Ammar B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Nassri
authors.affiliation: Zeeshan Ramzan, Ammar B Nassri, Sergio Huerta, VA North Texas Healthcare System-Dallas VA Medical Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75216, United States.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Huerta
keywords: Angiogenesis; Apoptosis; Complete pathological response; DNA double-strand break; DNA-PKcs; Ionizing radiation; Ku proteins; Non-homologous end-joining pathway; Radiation therapy