Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Gene Regulation and Targeted Therapy in Gastric Cancer Peritoneal Metastasis: Radiological Findings from Dual Energy CT and PET/CT
10:28

Gene Regulation and Targeted Therapy in Gastric Cancer Peritoneal Metastasis: Radiological Findings from Dual Energy CT and PET/CT

Published on: January 22, 2018

Molecular targets and biological modifiers in gastric cancer

Fátima Carneiro1, Carla Oliveira, Marina Leite

  • 1Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal. fcarneiro@ipatimup.pt

Seminars in Diagnostic Pathology
|November 19, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Poor survival in gastric cancer necessitates new therapies. This review explores key genetic alterations like E-cadherin and EGFR, highlighting their role in gastric cancer development and as potential therapeutic targets.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Gastric cancer survival rates remain low despite advancements in care.
  • Genetic and epigenetic changes are linked to different gastric cancer subtypes.
  • Novel therapeutic strategies are essential for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of specific genes in gastric cancer development and progression.
  • To identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets within these genes.
  • To discuss the involvement of E-cadherin, EGFR, ERBB2, MMR genes, KRAS, and PIK3CA.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of genetic and epigenetic alterations in gastric cancer.
  • Analysis of the involvement of key genes in cancer pathogenesis.
  • Evaluation of identified genes as potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers.

Main Results:

  • E-cadherin, EGFR, ERBB2, MMR genes, KRAS, and PIK3CA are implicated in gastric cancer.
  • These genetic alterations influence disease development and progression.
  • Several genes show promise as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting specific genetic alterations offers a promising avenue for new gastric cancer therapies.
  • Understanding these molecular pathways is crucial for personalized treatment strategies.
  • Further research into these targets could significantly improve gastric cancer management.

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Targets for Drug Action: Overview01:26

Targets for Drug Action: Overview

Drugs target macromolecules to modify ongoing cellular processes. Primary drug targets include receptors, ion channels, transporters, and enzymes.
Receptors are either membrane-spanning or intracellular proteins, which upon binding a ligand, get activated and transmit the signal downstream to elicit a response. Drugs bind receptors, either mimicking the action of endogenous ligands or blocking the receptor activity to bring about a modified response. Nearly 35% of approved drugs target the G...
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase01:11

Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase

Genetic polymorphisms in drug targets have emerged as critical determinants of interindividual variability in drug response and toxicity. Pharmacogenomic investigations increasingly focus on identifying these variations to personalize and optimize therapeutic interventions. A drug target may be a receptor, enzyme, or signaling protein involved in pharmacologic responses or disease-related pathways. While early pharmacogenetic studies focused primarily on drug metabolism, current research...
Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets01:29

Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets

Advances in genomics have profoundly influenced drug discovery by increasing both the speed and accuracy of pharmaceutical development. Pharmacogenomics, which examines how genetic variation influences drug response, facilitates the identification of novel therapeutic targets and enables patient stratification for personalized treatment. These strategies contribute to improved drug efficacy, minimized adverse effects, and more efficient clinical trial design.Mapping genetic differences...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...