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World J Gastrointest Surg. Dec 27, 2012; 4(12): 275-277
Published online Dec 27, 2012. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v4.i12.275
Published online Dec 27, 2012. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v4.i12.275
On biomarkers and pathways in rectal cancer: What's the target?
Gabriele Zoppoli, Department of Internal Medicine, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino, Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Istituto Scientifico Tumori, 16137 Genova, Italy
Valter Ferrando, Stefano Scabini, Oncological Surgery and Implantable Systems Unit, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino, Istituto Scientifico Tumori, 16137 Genova, Italy
Author contributions: Zoppoli G, Ferrando V and Scabini S discussed the topics, wrote and revised the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Gabriele Zoppoli, MD, PhD, Department of Internal Medicine, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino, Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Istituto Scientifico Tumori, Viale Benedetto XV, 6, 16137 Genova, Italy. zoppoli@gmail.com
Telephone: +39-10-3537968 Fax: +39-10-3537996
Received: June 14, 2012
Revised: October 2, 2012
Accepted: December 1, 2012
Published online: December 27, 2012
Revised: October 2, 2012
Accepted: December 1, 2012
Published online: December 27, 2012
Abstract
In spite of tremendous progresses in surgical and chemo-radiotherapeutic regimens, rectal cancer still suffers from high relapse and mortality rates, and metastatic disease is incurable. Here we assess some of the most recent and validated biomarkers and potential targets studied in rectal cancer, and provide comments to a recent monographic topic covering several aspects of colorectal cancer, published in Current Cancer Drug Targets.
Keywords: Rectal cancer; Colorectal surgery; Chemotherapy; Targeted molecular therapy; Biological markers