New Tool Predicts Cancer Outcome

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common lymphoid cancer in adults, and over 50% of patients die from the cancer. Currently, the outcome of many cancers is predicted from assessment of the clinical status of the cancer-tumor size, age of patient, etc. However, gene activities that determine the biological behavior of a tumor are more likely to reflect its aggressiveness.

Todd Golub and colleagues used a technology called microarray analysis, which allows the genomic activity of a tissue to be analyzed in terms of its gene expression pattern. The scientists analyzed the expression of 6,817 genes in tissues from patients with DLBCL and found that, based on their gene expression profile, they could be divided into two groups with 5 year survival rates of 70% and 12%. Further determinations were made on those who were more likely to die or be cured.

Laura Van't Veer and Daphne de Jong discuss the technique in an accompanying News and Views article (p. 13). Based on such microarray analysis, some patients could be selected for different forms of chemotherapy.

Author contact:

Dr. Todd R. Golub
Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Center for Genome Research
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Tel: +1 617 632 4903
Fax: +1 617 632 4850
Email: golub@genome.wi.mit.edu

Dr. Laura J. Van't Veer
The Netherlands Cancer Institute
Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital
Amsterdam,
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 20 5122754
Fax: +31 20 5122759
Email lveer@nki.nl

(C) Nature Medicine press release.

Message posted by: Trevor M. D'Souza