Year-in-Review of Lung Cancer

Abstract

In the last several years, we have made slow but steady progress in understanding molecular biology of lung cancer. This review is focused on advances in understanding the biology of lung cancer that have led to proof of concept studies on new therapeutic approaches. The three selected topics include genetics, epigenetics and non-coding RNA. This new information represents progress in the integration of molecular mechanisms that to identify more effective ways to target lung cancer.

Keywords: Epigenomics; Genetics; Lung Neoplasms; Molecular Biology; RNA, Untranslated.

Figure 1

Gene expression via genetic, epigenetic and posttranscriptional modification is a key regulatory process in the cell.

Figure 2

Enzymatic conversion of cytosine to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine. DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) convert cytosine to 5-methylcytosine. 5-hydroxymethylcytosine be converted to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in an enzymatic process involving members of the ten-eleven translocation (TET) protein family. 5-hydroxymethylcytosine could be converted to cytosine through a passive demethylation or an active demethylation pathway.

Figure 3

Schematic diagram of the four archetypes of longer ncRNAs (lncRNA) mechanism. Signaling: LncRNA expression can be stimulated in response to certain stimuli, such as cellular stress and temperature. Decoys: Specific lncRNAs are transcribed and then bind to and titrate away protein factors. Guides: LncRNAs can be molecular guides by localizing particular ribonucleoprotein complexes to specific chromatin targets. Scaffolds: LncRNAs can bring together multiple proteins to form ribonucleoprotein complexes. Adopted from Wang and Chang. Mol Cell 2011;43:904-14.

Figure 4

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) as new characters in the plot between epigenetics and lung cancer.