The role of gene expression profiling in the management of breast cancer patients

ABSTRACT

Breast cancer specialists often find it difficult to decide whether or not to recommend on chemotherapy in women with presumed low risk for future development of metastatic disease. This decision is usually based on well-established clinical and histopathological scoring tools. During recent years, an additional way to estimate the risk for advanced disease comes from gene expression profiling of the breast cancer tumor cells. Such diagnostic tests are already in the market and relevant data are quickly accumulating. This article reviews the principles of this innovative prognostic system and brings data from the latest clinical trials.

Key words::

• BREAST CANCER
• PROGNOSIS
• GENE EXPRESSION PROFILING
• CHEMOTHERAPY

Conflict of interest The author reports no conflict of interest. The author alone is responsible for the content and writing of this paper.

Source of funding Nil.