Lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. A major factor related with the high mortality rate of lung cancer patients is the late diagnosis of the disease. So, the identification and characterization of new epigenetic marks and mechanisms may contribute to better diagnose and treat lung cancer. In this chapter we review the epigenetic mechanisms involved in lung cancer, including DNA methylation, histone posttranslational modification and noncoding RNAs. The chapter focuses on biomarkers for diagnostic, prognostic and response to treatment. Finally, thanks to the reversible nature of epigenetic marks, we provide not only information about the therapeutic targets identified in preclinical studies but also drugs which are being evaluated for lung cancer in clinical trials. Epigenetics translated to personalized medicine will help to develop new tools to guide decisions made by the oncologist regarding the proper treatment of lung cancer. READ ARTICLE
Epigenetics in Precision Medicine DOI:10.1016/B978-0-12-823008-4.00007-X
Authors: Alejandro Cardona-Monzonís, Ángel L. Ortega, Julian Carretero, José Luis García-Giménez, Salvador Mena-Mollá
Background: Given the importance of molecular testing and targeted therapy for mNSCLC, the MYLUNG (Molecularly Informed Lung Cancer Treatment in a Community Cancer Network) consortium pragmatic study assessed real-world biomarker testing rates and turnaround times (TAT) within The US Oncology Network of over 1,000 providers across the United States. Conclusions: This real-world study showed that most pts received at least one biomarker test prior to 1L, but <50% received all 5 tests. NGS testing occurred in <50% of pts but increased over the periods examined. Median time from dx to 1L therapy was about 5 weeks and TAT from orders to results about 2 weeks. Analyses by histology and other trends will be reported. These data will be compared to the next phase of the MYLUNG study, which will evaluate contemporary ordering practices and TATs prospectively. READ ARTICLE
Journal of Clinical Oncology DOI:10.1200/JCO.2021.39.15_suppl.9004
Authors: Nicholas J. Robert, Esmond D. Nwokeji, Janet L. Espirito, Liwei Chen, Mandar Karhade, Makenzi Colleen Evangelist, Alexander I. Spira, Marcus A. Neubauer, Susie A. Bullock, Robert L. Coleman, on behalf of MYLUNG Consortium Collaborators: The U.S. Oncology Network and sponsors
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are generated from 'back-splicing' events. Their circular structure makes them stable in cells and body fluids. These entities are involved in several human diseases including cancer, as they affect the expression of genes promoting proliferation, invasion, apoptosis, and angiogenesis. Moreover, they are secreted in extracellular vesicles, such as exosomes, having a potential role as messengers in cell-to-cell communications. CircRNAs are also generated by the back-splicing of linear fusion transcripts derived from genomic rearrangements, giving rise to fusion circRNAs (f-circRNAs).
Here we discuss the most relevant results achieved by studying the role of circRNAs in cancer onset and progression, particularly focusing on f-circRNAs in hematological and solid tumors. Moreover, we report recent advances in the application of circRNAs as novel “liquid biopsy” biomarkers for early and non-invasive diagnosis of tumors, and as therapeutic targets in human cancer. Th..... READ ARTICLE
Cellular Signalling DOI:10.1111/1759-7714.13376
Authors: Grazia Visci, DoronTolomeo, Antonio Agostini, Debora Traversa, Gemma Macchia, Clelia Tiziana Storlazzi
Introduction: During nonreciprocal/reciprocal translocation process, 5′-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) sometimes gets retained in the genome and is detectable by next-generation sequencing; however, no study has investigated its clinical significance. Our study aimed to assess the impact of harboring 5′-ALK on the efficacy of crizotinib. Conclusions: Presence of nonreciprocal/reciprocal ALK translocation was predictive for worse PFS and greater likelihood of baseline brain metastases in patients with ALK-rearranged NSCLC who received first-line crizotinib. READ ARTICLE
Journal of Thoracic Oncology DOI:10.1016/j.jtho.2020.02.007
Authors: Yongchang Zhang, Liang Zeng, Chunhua Zhou, Yizhi Li, Lin Wu, Chen Xia, Wenjuan Jiang, Yijuan Hu, Dehua Liao, Lili Xiao, Li Liu, Haiyan Yang, Yi Xiong, Rui Guan, Analyn Lizaso, Aaron S. Mansfield, Nong Yang
Biomarker testing on pathology specimens is an essential requirement to properly treat lung cancer (LC) patients. LungPath is an on-line tool developed by the Spanish Society of Pathology (SEAP) with free and voluntary participation of differents Departments of Pathology to registry, monitor and trace biomarker results in clinical practice. After initial data reclutation step, first objective is to realize a descriptive analysis of LungPath focusing on ALK traslocation testing. Descriptive analysis of the LungPath registry. Biomarkers determinations of LC patients were collected from March 2018 to January 2019, from 38 Spanish Departments of Pathology. Development of central biomarker databases, such as Lungpath, provide an opportunity to registry clinical practice data and in the future could be an useful tool to monitor, correlate results between different centers and improve the available knowledge regarding biomarkers in LC. According the international guidelines, EGFR mutation and..... READ ARTICLE
Journal of Thoracic Oncology DOI:10.1016/j.jtho.2019.08.2213
Authors: J. Martin Lopez, L. Aduz Alexandre, S. Gatius Caldero, A. Navarro Gonzales, P. Saiz Lopez, C. Gomez Bellvert,, C. Camacho García, L. Melgar, E. Costa Navarro, I. Abdulkader Nallib, C.A. Vasquez Dongo, M. Saiz Camin, A. Yagüe Hernando, L. Atienza Cuevas, L. Pijuan, T. Hernández Iglesias, A. Martinez Pozo, C. Salas Anton
A circRNA signature was identified as a potential noninvasive biomarker for LUAD diagnosis. This study aimed to evaluate whether circulating circRNAs could be used as diagnostic biomarkers for lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). READ ARTICLE
Journal of Translational Medicine
DOI:10.1186/s12967-019-1800-z
Authors: Xiao-Xia Liu, Yi-E Yang, Xiao Liu, Meng-Yu Zhang, Rui Li, Yun-Hong Yin, and Yi-Qing Qu