Onkológia 1/2015

New research and therapeutic targets in molecular genetics of tumors − our research potential

Over the last few years, our knowledge on cancer disease has progressed substantially. This knowledge may help target tumor treatment as well as personalize therapy. Genomic instability was recognized as one of the crucial factors causing malignant cell transformation and subsequent tumor development. Research in the field of DNA damage response and repair succeeded in advances in unraveling the effective drug combinations for the antitumor treatment. Alterations in the gene expression mediated by epigenetic regulations, which are specific for tumor cells, are subject of research for their potential use as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Similarly, the identification of microRNA (miRNA) molecules present in the peripheral blood exosomes has the potential to be used in diagnostics as liquid biopsy of tumor. In addition, a substantial advance in the field of nanomedicine in oncology has recently been achieved, bringing new possibilities for the more effective and targeted tumor therapy with the drugs, which have been used in the clinic for a long time, but also introducing new molecules.

Keywords: DNA repair, genomic instability, epigenetics, biomarkers, microRNA, nanomedicine.