Genetic markers for the diagnosis and prognosis of pheochromocytoma

Abstract

The last 5 years have witnessed important advances in understanding the mechanisms of tumorigenesis of chromaffin cells. Large-scale microarray analyses of pheochromocytomas have identified two distinct gene-expression profiles encompassing all hereditary and sporadic tumors. Gene-expression profiling of benign and malignant pheochromocytomas is providing a better understanding of the mechanisms of metastasis. Such studies hold promise for the development of new prognostic markers for early detection of malignant pheochromocytoma and for the identification of novel targets for therapeutic intervention.

Keywords::

• gene-expression profiling
• marker
• microarray
• pheochromocytoma
• prognosis
• tumorigenesis

Financial & competing interests disclosure

Work performed in the laboratory of the authors has been supported by INSERM (U413), Conseil Régional de Haute-Normandie, Fédération des Maladies Orphelines, Ligue de Recherche Contre le Cancer de Haute-Normandie, Association pour la Recherche sur le Cancer and PHRC AOM 02068 for the COMETE Network. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.