Synopsis of Modern Cancer Therapy with Molecular Biological Approaches

Summary. The therapy of gastrointestinal cancer is currently based on the surgical removal of the primary tumor or the metastases, respectively. A major improvement of the five year survival rate or an effective eure from advanced tumors will mainly depend on adjuvant therapeutic concepts even after surgical RO-resection. Such concepts can be developed nowadays with major expectations for success based on our advanced molecular biological knowledge on (i) increased proliferation, (ii) reduced apoptosis rate, (iii) the dissemination and (iv) the mechanisms of invasive growth of malignant cells.