Microarrays Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Microarrays, including details on experiments, designs, statistics, analysis, software.

The use of microarray technologies in clinical oncology.

Gabriele L, Moretti F, Pierotti MA, Marincola FM, Foa R, Belardelli F

ABSTRACT: The completion of the human genome project together with the development and implementation of microarray technologies have opened new opportunities for progress in cancer research. For instance, an increasing number of molecular markers with prognostic and diagnostic potential have been identified in a broad range of human cancers by cDNA microarray analysis. Thus, there are great expectations from the use of this technology in clinical oncology and on their potential impact in improving the management of cancer patients. However, routine application of microarrays in clinical practice still requires significant efforts to standardize the array manufacturing techniques, assay protocols and analytical methods used to interpret the data. Moreover, progress in the effectiveness of microarray technology in generating relevant information in this field has simultaneously highlighted the major challenge of integrating experimental data with clinical and epidemiological parameters. Thus, with the intent of focusing on the achievements of this fast-moving strategy in addressing the pressing needs of oncological practice and the aim of discussing its limitations and prospects, the authors of this report organized a Workshop on "Microarray Technologies in Clinical Oncology: Potential and Perspectives" held in Rome, Italy, in late June 2005. Investigators with complementary expertise on the application of microarray technology in clinical oncology presented their recent findings and debated critical aspects regarding diagnostic and prognostic applications and current trends in the use of this technology for monitoring and predicting clinical response to treatment of cancer patients. This meeting report summarizes the main contributions and underlines some critical issues, which need to be addressed to enhance the effectiveness of this potential powerful new technology in clinical oncology.

Published 8 February 2006 in J Transl Med, 4(1): 8.
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