Tumor gene expression profiles and risk of distant recurrence in breast cancer patients

The 21 gene Recurrence Score assay is used to aid decision making about chemotherapy treatment in node negative, estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer. 

We report (Cobleigh MA et al.: "Tumor gene expression and prognosis in breast cancer patients with 10 or more positive lymph nodes"., Clin Cancer Res. 2005 Dec 15;11,24:8623-31) the results of one of the three independent studies that used reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to select the 21 genes and to define the Recurrence Score algorithm. 

Tumor gene expression profiles of archival tissues, some more than 20 years old, provide significant information about risk of distant recurrence even among patients with 10 or more involved lymph nodes.  

Melody A. Cobleigh

Rush University Medical Center, Chicago