Diagnosis and Predictive Molecular Analysis of Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer in the Africa-Middle East Region: Challenges and Strategies for Improvement

Abstract

Identification of tumour biomarkers provides information on prognosis and guides the implementation of appropriate treatment in patients with many different types of cancer. In nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), targeted treatment plans based on biomarker identification are already being utilised in the clinic. However, such predictive molecular testing is not currently a universally employed practice. This is particularly the case in developing countries where lung cancer is increasingly prevalent. In September 2012 and November 2013, a committee of 16 lung cancer experts from Africa and the Middle East met to discuss key issues related to diagnosis and biomarker testing in NSCLC and the implementation of personalised medicine in the region. The committee identified current challenges for effective diagnosis and predictive analysis in Africa and the Middle East. Moreover, strategies to encourage the implementation of biomarker testing were discussed.Ultimately, a practical approach for the effective diagnosis and predictive molecular testing of NSCLC in these regions was derived. Key issues and recommendations arising from the meetings are presented here.Abstract word count: 167 (journal limit: 250)

Comparison of Serum MicroRNA21 and Tumor Markers in Diagnosis of Early Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

“…Clinical studies have examined various indicators, such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA21-1), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), carbohydrate antigen (CA-199), cytokeratin 5/6 (CK 5/6), cytokeratin HMW (CK-HMW), thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1), and cytokeratin 8/18 (CK 8/18). However, no reliable and independent indicator for early diagnosis of NSCLC has been found [ 7 ], so joint marker detection is the main measure to improve diagnosis of early NSCLC using serum markers.…”

CREB‐binding protein regulates lung cancer growth by targeting MAPK and CPSF4 signaling pathway

“…Lung cancer, a malignant lung tumor with uncontrolled cell growth in lung tissue, remains the most frequent solid tumor worldwide and also a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in men and women (Allemani et al, 2015;Siegel et al, 2014). Although surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are applied as common treatments, the average survival time from the time of diagnosis is still short for patients with lung cancer, usually measured in months, and the outcomes are even worse in the developing countries (Provencio and Sanchez, 2014;Slavik et al, 2014). Lung carcinogenesis and development is a multistep process, involving genetic mutations, epigenetic changes, abnormal events of stem cells, and activation of signaling pathways associated with metastasis that accumulate to initiate and worsen this disease (Kratz et al, 2010;Liu et al, 2015;Lundin and Driscoll, 2013;Mitsudomi, 2014;Van Breda et al, 2014;Wang et al, 2013b;Yang and Qi, 2012;Zajkowicz et al, 2015).…”

“…The current research focusing on the identification and development of new anti-tumor drugs is to explore and reveal the particular characteristics or hallmarks involved in cancer development. CBP, a CREB-binding protein, has been reported to be participated in many biological processes, including embryonic development, growth control, and homeostasis (Goodman and Smolik, 2000;Liu et al, 2014;Stachowiak et al, 2015;Turnell and Mymryk, 2006;Valor et al, 2013). It shares regions of very high-sequence similarity with protein p300 and is involved in the transcriptional coactivation of many different transcriptional factors by interacting with them and increase the expression of their target genes (Gray et al, 2005;Jansma et al, 2014;Jia et al, 2014;Kasper et al, 2006;Lin et al, 2014;Vo and Goodman, 2001;Wang et al, 2013a;Xiao et al, 2015).…”