Abstract
A ‘gene expression signature’ can be defined as a single or a combined gene expression
alteration with validated specificity in terms of diagnosis, prognosis or prediction
of therapeutic response.
Since the publication of the first signature in the late 90s, high-throughput gene
expression analysis has revolutionised genetics over the last 15 years. The scientific community has used this new technology to find responses to
these fundamental questions; from understanding tumour biology, to prediction of progression,
and treatments to which it will respond.
Nevertheless, legitimate excitement about the attractiveness of molecular technologies
and the promise of discovery-based research should not overlook adherence to the rules
of evidence, otherwise it may result in claims that are not meaningful and lead to
disappointment. This review will thus focus on the approaches developed to answer
these three fundamental questions and the results evidenced both at biological and
clinical level. On looking at this huge amount of data that have become increasingly
minute, and at times contradictory, we discuss how gene expression signature improve
our understanding of cancer biology, our ability to predict progression and response,
and finally, our capacity to treat cancers more efficiently.
Keywords
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Publication history
Published online: March 15, 2013
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© 2013 Elsevier Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
