J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2012 Jun 25. [Epub ahead of print]
The surgeon's role in molecular biology.
Source
Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Thoracic Surgery and Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Pascale Foundation, Naples, Italy.
Abstract
The biomolecular era is rapidly becoming shaped around the supreme interest in targeted therapy for patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Tissue analysis has become crucial in the definition of biomarkers and genomic signatures able to predict the response to treatment or even survival. Lungscreening programs and minimally invasive thoracic surgery are jointly aimed at increasing the quantity and quality of specimens of non-small celllung cancer caught at the earliest stages with the attendant, significant, effect on patient survival. In addition, biomolecular researchers are disclosing an ever-increasing cohort of patients with specific genetic mutations that make their cancer susceptible to individualized treatment. When needed for immunohistochemical characterization, investigators are ready to request "research biopsies" to consolidate tissue availability for clinical trials, translational research, and in biobanks. With unique and diverse tools in the surgical armamentarium, the thoracic surgeon plays a central role in this new multidisciplinary professional environment, actively participating in creating the foundations of the biomolecular era.
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