Deregulated overexpression of hCdt1 and hCdc6 promotes malignant behavior.

The accurate execution of DNA replication requires a strict control of the replication licensing factors hCdt1 and hCdc6. The role of these key replication molecules in carcinogenesis has not been clarified. To examine how early during cancer development deregulation of these factors occurs, we investigated their status in epithelial lesions covering progressive stages of hyperplasia, dysplasia, and full malignancy, mostly from the same patients.

Downregulation of the KIP family members p27(KIP1) and p57(KIP2) by SKP2 and the role of methylation in p57(KIP2) inactivation in nonsmall cell lung cancer.

Knowing the status of molecules involved in cell cycle control in cancer is vital for therapeutic approaches aiming at their restoration. The p27(KIP1) and p57(KIP2) cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors are nodal factors controlling normal cell cycle. Their expression in normal lung raises the question whether they have a mutual exclusive or redundant role in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Genetic and molecular coordinates of neuroendocrine lung tumors, with emphasis on small-cell lung carcinomas.

The aim of this review is to present the advances in our understanding of the progression of tumorigenesis in neuroendocrine lung tumors. Current information on established and putative diagnostic and prognostic markers of neuroendocrine tumors are evaluated, with a special reference to small-cell lung carcinoma, due to its higher incidence and aggressive behavior. The genetic and molecular changes that accompany these neoplasms are highlighted, and factors that influence cell-cycle progression, apoptosis, drug resistance, and escape from immune surveillance are critically assessed.

Prognostic factors in non-small cell lung carcinoma.

This review aims in presenting the established and putative prognostic markers in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). We have focused on the molecular/genetic alterations accompanying the pathogenesis of this malignancy, which may derange the cellular response to external and internal stimuli. A variety of factors influencing cell cycle progression, programmed cell death, drug resistance and immune evasion seem to obtain a predictive--though sometimes argued--role.