Biology and molecular genetics of lung cancer

The most extensively characterized autocrine growth loop in lung cancer involves the epidermal growth factor-like family and its receptors. The presence of one or more of the molecules in the tumor specimen is associated with shortened patient survival, monoclonal antibodies directed against ERB1 and ERB2 receptors inhibit the growth of lung cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, and antibodies directed against EBB1 are in clinical trials. The search for a lung cancer tumor suppressor gene on chromosome 3 is ongoing and candidate genes and chromosomal regions have been identified but the gene has not been discovered. The RB gene and CDKN2 participate in the same cell cycle pathway. One of these two genes is inactivated in nearly all lung cancers, Rb more commonly in SCLC and CDKN2 in NSCLC. These studies have provided insights into the genetic changes in lung cancer and a better understanding of the genetic differences between SCLC and NSCLC.

Duke Scholars

Author Michael John Kelley Medicine, Medical Oncology