Genomics|Update|Current - CANCER

Genomics in the Scientific Literature
Cancer

1. Is Prostate Cancer Prevention with Selenium All in the Genes?
Platz EA
Cancer Prev Res (Phila Pa) 2010 Apr

Cancer Prev Res (Phila Pa). 2010 May;3(5):576-8. Epub 2010 Apr 27.

Is prostate cancer prevention with selenium all in the genes?
Platz EA.

Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. eplatz@jhsph.edu

Comment on:

Cancer Prev Res (Phila Pa). 2010 May;3(5):604-10.

Abstract
This perspective discusses how well-conducted research by Penney et al. (beginning on page 604 in this issue of the journal) contributes to the incremental uncovering of the complex association between selenium and prostate cancer. These investigators' earlier findings and current questions, approaches, and findings regarding selenium for prostate cancer prevention are discussed. This group's work raises the following important inferences: Selenium may prevent poorer-prognosis prostate cancer and its progression to bony metastases and death, but only in men with genetic backgrounds that influence the requirement for selenium. These inferences point toward how to reconcile inconsistent prostate cancer risk results from the two randomized trials of selenium conducted to date.

PMID: 20424133 [PubMed - in process]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20424133?dopt=Abstract



2. Pharmacogenomics of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Meeker ND, et al.
Expert Opin Pharmacother 2010 Apr

Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2010 Apr 29. [Epub ahead of print]

Pharmacogenomics of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Meeker ND, Yang JJ, Schiffman JD.

University of Utah, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Oncological Sciences, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA +1 801 587 4745 ; +1 801 585 6410 ; Joshua.Schiffman@hci.utah.edu.

Abstract
Importance of the field: Pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) represents one of the best examples of progress in disease treatment and improved outcome based in part upon the incorporation of the principles of pharmacogenomics. Throughout the past several decades, clinical scientists have continued to refine risk stratification in clinical trials with the understanding that individual patients have different subtypes of pediatric ALL that will respond to therapy in different, but predictable ways. Areas covered in this review: Discussed in this review are the most significant findings from pharmacogenomic studies of pediatric ALL from 1989 to the present. Pharmacogenomic studies related to the drugs commonly used to treat pediatric ALL are covered in detail, including an emphasis on both genome-wide and candidate gene/pathway approaches. What the reader will gain: Readers of this paper will acquire a detailed understanding of how pharmacogenomic studies can be integrated into clinical trials, in addition to some of the discrepancies still present in the field. Take home message: The outcome for children with pediatric ALL has improved greatly, and this is in part due to the successful integration of data from pharmacogenomic studies into clinical trials.

PMID: 20429672 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20429672?dopt=Abstract


3. The genetics of pediatric brain tumors
Dubuc AM, et al.
Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2010 May;10(3):215-23

Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2010 May;10(3):215-23.

The genetics of pediatric brain tumors.
Dubuc AM, Northcott PA, Mack S, Witt H, Pfister S, Taylor MD.

Division of Neurosurgery, Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Abstract
Brain tumors are the most common childhood solid malignancy and the leading cause of cancer-related death in children. Medulloblastoma, ependymoma, supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumors, and pilocytic astrocytoma are the most prevalent types, all of which are clinically, histologically, and genetically heterogeneous. Despite an incomplete molecular understanding of these tumors, we have made significant headway in the past 5 years in identifying and classifying important genetic alterations and pathways central to the disease process. This review summarizes our current state of knowledge, emphasizes recent seminal findings in the field, and proposes future research efforts needed to further characterize the genetic basis of pediatric brain tumors.

PMID: 20425037 [PubMed - in process]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20425037?dopt=Abstract