Breast cancer biomarkers and molecular medicine

Expert Rev Mol Diagn. 2003 Sep;3(5):573-85. doi: 10.1586/14737159.3.5.573.

Abstract

The first part of this two-part review of established and emerging breast cancer biomarkers and molecular diagnostics considers breast cancer predisposition, screening tests for diagnosis, diagnosis using small specimens and metastatic lesions, micrometastatic disease and breast cancer prognosis assessment. Prognostic factors covered in this review include: cytogenetic markers, DNA ploidy and S phase determination, cell proliferation markers, cell cycle regulators and growth factor measurements including epithelial growth factor receptor, HER-2/neu and a variety of other relevant molecules controlling proliferation, differentiation and angiogenesis. The first section of part two will continue the consideration of breast cancer prognostic factors including oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, cell adhesion molecules, invasion-associated proteins and proteases, hormone receptor proteins, drug resistance proteins, apoptosis regulators, transcription factors, telomerase, DNA repair and methylation and transcriptional profiling using high-density genomic microarrays. The second section of part two will consider the prediction of therapy response using the techniques of pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biomarkers, Tumor*
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Cycle
  • Female
  • Genes, erbB-2
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Growth Substances / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mass Screening
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques
  • Prognosis
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Trastuzumab

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Growth Substances
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Trastuzumab