Genetic Pattern of Cancer in Breast Predicts Outcome

In breakthrough research, scientists have found that by using a microarray and gene chips, they can predict from the genetic pattern of a cancerous breast tumor whether it will spread or might be easily cured. The research was reported in the December 19, 2002, issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.

The scientists say the new genetic profiling method appears better able to predict mortality than measures such as stage, tumor size, or whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. In a surprising finding, large tumors often had a good genetic profile, while small tumors often had a bad genetic profile. This discovery suggests that certain deadly tumors have the potential to be life-threatening even when small, and that no matter what size a tumor is, its fate has already been determined.

The study involved 295 breast cancer patients, 52 or younger when their diagnosis was made, who had been given standard treatment for around 11 years. Tissue from their tumors was stored, so doctors knew which tumors had spread to the nodes when the diagnosis was made. In addition, they knew whether the cancer had spread or if the patient had remained free of cancer after her initial treatment. The study showed that only 5.5% of patients whose genetic signature indicated a good outcome died within the next 10 years, compared to 45% of patients with a bad genetic signature.

The current study, led by Dr. Rene Bernards, professor of molecular carcinogenesis at the Netherlands Cancer Institute (Amsterdam), is a follow-up study to an earlier one conducted by Dr. Bernards several years ago. Now, researchers at Harvard Medical School are planning to begin a study of 500 women, using the same method.




Related Links:
Netherlands Cancer Institute