Molecular classification of nonsmall cell lung cancer using a 4-protein quantitative assay.

Background: The importance of definitive histological subclassification has increased as drug trials have shown benefit associated with histology in nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The acuity of this problem is further exacerbated by the use of minimally invasive cytology samples. Here we describe the development and validation of a 4-protein classifier that differentiates primary lung adenocarcinomas (AC) from squamous cell carcinomas (SCC).

Novel agents in the management of pancreatic adenocarcinoma: phase I studies. Highlights from the "2011 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium". San Francisco, CA, USA. January 20-22, 2011.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma has repetitively proved refractory to chemotherapy and biologic compounds with only a few drugs offering limited benefit. A number of novel regimens has been tested in phase I trials and reported recently in the 2011 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium. Specifically, a novel mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor, a connective tissue growth factor inhibitor, a coagulase factor VIIa inhibitor, as well as adenovirus delivery of herpes simplex virus thymidine synthase gene followed by anti-herpetic treatment have all proven to be safe in pancreatic cancer patients.

Novel agents for the treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma: any light at the end of the tunnel? Highlights from the "2010 ASCO Annual Meeting". Chicago, IL, USA. June 4-8, 2010.

Pancreatic cancer is a disease with dismal prognosis and treatment options are limited. Development of novel active compounds is mandatory. A number of pancreatic cancer clinical trials that included a novel agent among their arms were presented at the recent 2010 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting.

Neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas: what's new. Highlights from the "2010 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium". Orlando, FL, USA. January 22-24, 2010.

Surgical excision has been the mainstay of treatment for neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas (PNET). Compounds like streptozocin and dacarbazin have been traditionally used in inoperable cases and somatostatin to treat syndromes deriving from functional tumors. However, a lot of progress has taken place in the area of molecular characterization of these tumors, revealing activation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and VEGF pathways.