Articles in 2011

Human cell engineering has made considerable progress, but where to insert foreign sequences in the human genome to maximize safety and efficacy is still uncertain. This Opinion article discusses genomic safe harbours, which are chromosomal locations where therapeutic transgenes can integrate and function without perturbing endogenous gene activity or promoting cancer.

Many different microRNAs (miRNAs) have now been linked to cancer, but our understanding of the pathways that are regulated by these miRNAsin vivois still limited. This Review discusses progress in using mouse models to understand the roles of miRNAs in cancer and the therapeutic potential of these molecules.

Obesity is increasing in the developed world, and epidemiological studies indicate that this is accompanied by an increased risk of cancer. This Opinion article discusses the possible mechanisms by which obesity might promote tumorigenesis.

A new study compares the effects ofBRCA1 and BRCA2lesions on clinical treatment responses in ovarian cancer.

Using a mouse model of chemically induced skin tumours, Cédric Blanpain and colleagues have uncovered an autocrine role for vascular endothelial growth factor signalling in cancer stem cells.

Genomic analysis combined with functional screening has identified an extracellular non-membrane bound form of the ephrin receptor EPHA7 as a tumour suppressor in follicular lymphoma that could be exploited therapeutically.

Choline metabolism is commonly deregulated in cancer, leading to increased levels of choline metabolites. This Review discusses the deregulation of choline metabolism in cancer, its reciprocal interaction with oncogenic signalling and the possible clinical applications in diagnostics and therapy.

Although gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are genetically heterogeneous, the identification of receptor tyrosine kinase mutations has led to improved treatments using targeted therapy. This Review discusses how the underlying genetics influences GIST disease progression and therapeutic responses, new insights into the cellular origins of GISTs and strategies for overcoming therapeutic resistance.

ThisCellpaper shows that an interaction between the SH2 and kinase domains of BCR–ABL is necessary for kinase activation; inhibition of this interface prevents leukaemogenesis in mice and can restore sensitivity to tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Two papers have identified a new pathway through which the loss of the tumour suppressor fumarate hydratase might promote tumour development.

The controversy surrounding thermography as a stand alone screening method for breast cancer.

Cancer chemoprevention approaches generally use long-term, continuous treatment, which can lead to adverse events. This Opinion article discusses whether short-term, intermittent therapy that exploits synthetic lethal interactions in premalignant cells might reduce the toxicity of chemoprevention while retaining its benefits.

Protein-coding and non-coding RNAs influence the interaction of microRNAs with their target RNAs.

Two new studies describe a tumour suppressive role for NF-κB as a master regulator of a secretory phenotype during senescencein vivo.

A recentNaturepaper identifies a catabolite of tryptophan as an endogenous ligand of aryl hydrocarbon receptor and links this pathway to tumorigenesis and suppression of antitumour immunity.

Daley and colleagues show that LIN28-mediated suppression of let-7 microRNAs activates the insulin–PI3K–mTOR pathway to regulate glucose metabolism, connecting type 2 diabetes and cancer.