Gene Expression Profiling in Breast Cancer Research

Issue title: Genomic Approaches to the Study of Breast Cancer

Guest editors: Jeffrey E. Green

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Meltzer, Paul S.

Affiliations: Cancer Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, 50 South Drive MSC 8000, Bethesda MD, 20892-8000, USA. E-mail: pmeltzer@mail.nih.gov | National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA

Abstract: The gene expression profiles of breast cancers can now be determined with microarray technologies which measure the expression of tens of thousands of genes. By applying statistical and bioinformatics tools to gene expression data, tumors can be classified into biologically and clinically relevant categories. In addition to improving tumor classification, gene expression signatures have been identified which are related to BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation status, ER status, and patient prognosis. Beyond its impact on research into the basic mechanisms of breast tumor progression, continued progress in tumor gene expression profiling appears likely to lead to clinically useful gene expression tests.

DOI: 10.3233/BD-2004-19104

Journal: Breast Disease, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 23-27, 2004