Gene expression profiling: Decoding breast cancer

Accepted 24 July 2009.

Abstract

Gene expression assays that are used in daily clinical practice for treating early breast cancer patients have been introduced in the clinic only recently. This review discusses the development of these arrays, summarizes the validation of those that are commercially available and indicates how the information provided by these assays can help in the care of patients. The review also provides an extensive overview of commercially available assays focusing on MammaPrint, the first and only assay for breast cancer management that has been cleared by the FDA.

Keywords: Breast cancer, Gene expression, Prognosis, Prediction, Multigene assay, Personalized medicine, Genetic profile, Therapy response

a Department of Medical Affairs, Agendia BV, Science Park 406, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

b Department of Medical Affairs, Agendia Inc, Huntington Beach, CA, USA

c Department of Research and Development, Agendia BV, Science Park 406, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

d Department of Surgical Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Corresponding author. Tel.: +31 20 462 1561; fax: +31 20 462 1505.

PII: S0960-7404(09)00080-2

doi:10.1016/j.suronc.2009.07.005

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