Opinion in 2010

The survival of genetically abnormal carcinoma progenitor cells in ductal carcinomain situlesions could be driven by the hypoxic, nutrient-deprived microenvironment. Understanding the potential survival mechanisms, such as autophagy, could provide new strategies for arresting invasion at the pre-malignant stage.

The increasing number of cancer survivors has highlighted the problem of tumour dormancy, which can lead to relapse. Preclinical models and initial clinical trials are paving the way to address how best to treat long-term cancer survivors to minimize the risk of late cancer recurrence.

There are many similarities in tumour development between plants and animals, but fundamental differences prevent plants from developing cancer. In particular, cell division and proliferation are strictly regulated in plants, and plant tumours cannot metastasize owing to the rigid microenvironment surrounding plant cells (the cell wall). What can tumour development in plants tell us about cancer in animals?

This article proposes a new model outlining the early steps in the development of serous ovarian cancer. This model suggests that homologous recombination repair deficiency initiates a cascade of molecular events that sculpt the evolution of high-grade serous ovarian cancer and dictate its response to therapy.

This Opinion article discusses how aberrant vascular remodelling might lead to tumour hypoxia. What controls this process, and could this be reversed — or normalized — by anti-angiogenic therapies?

The cardiovascular system develops and matures through two tightly regulated processes: vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. This Opinion article discusses the parallels and differences in the angiogenic process under either a physiological or a pathological state, especially tumorigenesis.

There is an urgent need to accelerate the development of new molecularly targeted cancer therapeutics by improving early clinical anticancer drug evaluation. This article discusses current approaches and new strategies that should maximize benefit to patients and expedite the regulatory approval of new anticancer drugs.

The gap junction proteins connexins have previously been thought of as tumour suppressors. However, more recent evidence challenges this view, as they can also have roles in tumour progression and metastasis. Therefore, might connexins be more accurately classified as conditional tumour suppressors?

Despite widespread interest, few serum biomarkers have been introduced to the clinic over the past 20 years. Will a global biomarker discovery platform that mines all possible sources for biomarkers be more useful in the search for promising ovarian cancer biomarkers?

Hox genes are a highly conserved subgroup of the homeobox superfamily that regulate numerous processes including development, apoptosis, differentiation and cell motility. Aberrations in Hox gene expression have been reported in malignancy and this Opinion article discusses our current knowledge of these genes in tumour development and metastasis.

Recently, MYC has been shown to serve as a direct regulator of ribosome biogenesis and therefore coordinates protein synthesis. Could the regulation of ribosome biogenesis by MYC be necessary for its role in tumorigenesis?

Recent findings have thrust poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) into the limelight as potential chemotherapeutic targets. What is known about the structures and functions of the family of PARP enzymes and which questions do we need answered to guide the rational development of PARP inhibitors as anticancer agents?

This Opinion article discusses some key similarities between breast and prostate cancer, with a focus on hormone and hormone receptor involvement. Understanding the commonalities between these cancers will hopefully provide unique opportunities for therapy.

It is becoming clear that targeting individual kinases is not sufficient to block the growth of most cancers. This Perspective discusses some of the strategies being used to identify new therapeutic combinations of kinase targets.

The precise mechanisms whereby anti-angiogenesis therapy blocks tumour growth or causes vascular toxicity are unknown. This article proposes that endothelial cells establish a vascular niche that promotes tumour growth and tissue repair through an angiocrine mechanism.

Multidrug transporter proteins contribute to chemoresistance through the efflux of anticancer drugs from cancer cells. However, evidence also points to their importance in cancer beyond drug efflux. Is there more to this family than meets the eye?

Cooperation among transcription factors is central for their ability to execute specific transcriptional programmes. This Perspective summarizes the emerging role of the transcription factor ATF2 as part of the AP1 complex in tumorigenesis.