Molecular targets and biological modifiers in gastric cancer

Carneiro, Fátima; Oliveira, Carla; Leite, Marina; Seruca, Raquel

doi:10.1053/j.semdp.2008.07.004

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Volume 25, Issue 4 , Pages 274-287, November 2008

Molecular targets and biological modifiers in gastric cancer

Fátima Carneiro, MD, PhD
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal
- Medical Faculty of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology, Hospital S. João, Porto, Portugal
- Address reprint requests and correspondence: Fátima Carneiro, MD, PhD, Rua Dr Roberto Frias s/n, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Carla Oliveira, PhD
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal
- Medical Faculty of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
Marina Leite, PhD
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal
Raquel Seruca, MD, PhD
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal
- Medical Faculty of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

The overall survival of gastric cancer patients remains poor despite efforts and advances in its prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The development of new therapies is crucial for the effective control of this disease. An increasing number of genetic and epigenetic alterations have been associated with distinct histological types of gastric cancer. In this review, we will discuss the involvement of E-cadherin, EGFR, ERBB2, MMR genes, KRAS, and PIK3CA in the development and progression of gastric cancer and their role as biomarkers or as novel putative targets for therapy.

Keywords: Gastric cancer, Molecular targets, Mutation, E-cadherin (CDH1), Microsatellite instability