Detection of MAGE-A transcripts in bone marrow is an independent prognostic factor in operable non-small-cell lung cancer.

Purpose: MAGE-A gene expression in humans is mostly restricted to tumor cells, and the role of MAGE-A transcripts and peptides as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets is currently under investigation. Thus far, the clinical relevance of MAGE-A transcripts as marker for disseminated tumor cells in bone marrow of patients with operable lung cancer without overt metastases is still unclear.

Experimental Design: Preoperative bone marrow aspirates from 50 consecutive patients with operable non-small-cell lung cancer free of distant metastases (i.

The future in diagnosis and staging of lung cancer. Molecular techniques.

Lung cancers at the same stage of disease have markedly different rates of disease progression. In this review, we will address current molecular techniques which provide new opportunities according to diagnosis, prediction of survival or selection of therapy. New molecular techniques might be helpful in TNM staging and lead to additional individual prognostic information.