Gene Profile Associated with Tumour Metastases
Researchers in America sought to further our understanding of tumour metastases by analysing primary breast tumours, regional (lymph node) metastases and distant metastases using microarrays and immunohistochemistry. Tumour metastases have a large impact on patient survival, and an increased understanding of distant cancer cells will be extremely significant in the development of effective therapies for affected patients.
Analysis of patients with primary tumours or regional metastases and distant metastases showed that the distant metastases could be distinguished by certain gene expression patterns. In comparison to the primary tumour and the regional metastases, the distant metastases showed a lack of expression of the fibroblast mesenchymal genes, and a high expression of a 13-gene profile (a ‘vascular endothelial growth factor’ profile). This profile was also used in conjunction with other gene expression profiles and clinical variables to predict outcomes in primary breast cancers, lung cancers and glioblastomas. The tests showed that the profile portended a poor outcome in many tumour types and suggests that in order to prevent the spread of metastatic tumour throughout the body treatments must target multiple cell types and pathways.
Original Article:
‘A compact VEGF signature associated with distant metastases and poor
outcomes’, 16 March 2009, BMC Medicine,
<http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7015/7/9/abstract>
(Accessed 18 March 2009)
Further Reading:
Wang Y, Klijn JG, Zhang Y, Sieuwerts AM, Look MP, Yang F, Talantov D,
Timmermans M, Meijer-van Gelder ME, Yu J, Jatkoe T, Berns EM, Atkins D,
Foekens JA: Gene-expression profiles to predict distant metastasis of lymphnode-
negative primary breast cancer. Lancet 2005, 365(9460):671-679.
Researchers in America sought to further our understanding of tumour metastases by analysing primary breast tumours, regional (lymph node) metastases and distant metastases using microarrays and immunohistochemistry. Tumour metastases have a large impact on patient survival, and an increased understanding of distant cancer cells will be extremely significant in the development of effective therapies for affected patients.
Analysis of patients with primary tumours or regional metastases and distant metastases showed that the distant metastases could be distinguished by certain gene expression patterns. In comparison to the primary tumour and the regional metastases, the distant metastases showed a lack of expression of the fibroblast mesenchymal genes, and a high expression of a 13-gene profile (a ‘vascular endothelial growth factor’ profile). This profile was also used in conjunction with other gene expression profiles and clinical variables to predict outcomes in primary breast cancers, lung cancers and glioblastomas. The tests showed that the profile portended a poor outcome in many tumour types and suggests that in order to prevent the spread of metastatic tumour throughout the body treatments must target multiple cell types and pathways.
Original Article:
‘A compact VEGF signature associated with distant metastases and poor
outcomes’, 16 March 2009, BMC Medicine,
<http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7015/7/9/abstract>
(Accessed 18 March 2009)
Further Reading:
Wang Y, Klijn JG, Zhang Y, Sieuwerts AM, Look MP, Yang F, Talantov D,
Timmermans M, Meijer-van Gelder ME, Yu J, Jatkoe T, Berns EM, Atkins D,
Foekens JA: Gene-expression profiles to predict distant metastasis of lymphnode-
negative primary breast cancer. Lancet 2005, 365(9460):671-679.
van de Vijver MJ, He YD, van't Veer LJ, Dai H, Hart AA, Voskuil DW, Schreiber
GJ, Peterse JL, Roberts C, Marton MJ, Parrish M, Atsma D, Witteveen A, Glas A,
Delahaye L, van der Velde T, Bartelink H, Rodenhuis S, Rutgers ET, Friend SH,
Bernards R: A gene-expression signature as a predictor of survival in breast
cancer. N Engl J Med 2002, 347(25):1999-2009.
GJ, Peterse JL, Roberts C, Marton MJ, Parrish M, Atsma D, Witteveen A, Glas A,
Delahaye L, van der Velde T, Bartelink H, Rodenhuis S, Rutgers ET, Friend SH,
Bernards R: A gene-expression signature as a predictor of survival in breast
cancer. N Engl J Med 2002, 347(25):1999-2009.
Ramaswamy S, Ross KN, Lander ES, Golub TR: A molecular signature of
metastasis in primary solid tumors. Nat Genet 2003, 33(1):49-54.
metastasis in primary solid tumors. Nat Genet 2003, 33(1):49-54.
Schneider BP, Sledge GW, Jr.: Drug insight: VEGF as a therapeutic target for
breast cancer. Nat Clin Pract Oncol 2007, 4(3):181-189.
breast cancer. Nat Clin Pract Oncol 2007, 4(3):181-189.
