A new study shows that analysis of genes shows which women have a poor prognosis in breast cancer.

Researchers in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, have used a new technique called microarray analysis to determine which genes are active in samples from women with breast cancer. They identified two different gene 'signatures' - one associated with poor prognosis, one with a good prognosis.

In a group of 295 patients, all younger than 53 years, 180 had a poor prognosis signature, while the rest had a good prognosis signature. The average ten year survival rates in the first group was around 55 per cent, compared to 95 per cent in the second group.

The researchers also found that only one woman in two out of the poor prognosis group remained free of recurrence during the next ten years after analysis, compared to 85 per cent in the good prognosis group. Clearly the gene signature approach is a powerful tool in predicting prognosis in breast cancer, say the researchers, and can pinpoint those women who might benefit the most from intensive treatment.

Source

New England Journal of Medicine 19th December 2002