Molecular Pathway May Predict Chemotherapy Effectiveness

A common molecular pathway could help physicians predict which lung cancer patients will benefit from chemotherapy drugs, according to new research. Known as the retinoblastoma (RB) tumor suppressor, this fundamental molecule regulates cell proliferation in the body. Research has shown that the RB pathway is either entirely inactive or altered in most human cancers. Scientists are beginning to use its actions as a "biomarker" for how tumors will respond to different therapies. Now researchers have found that "turning off" the RB pathway in lung cancer cells resulted in an altered response to chemotherapy agents and more cancer cell death.