HAMBURG, Germany (Reuters) - A new diagnostic tool for breast cancer that will allow treatment to be individualised based on the genetic composition of the tumour could be available later this year, researchers said on Wednesday.
“Understanding differences in gene expression can help both patients and clinicians to decide what treatment would be most effective and appropriate with a personalised approach,” Dr. Alane Koki, chief scientific officer of the French biotechnology company Ipsogen, told the Fourth European Breast Cancer Conference.
The Breast Cancer Profile Chip (BCPC) uses microarray technology to look at the genetic signature of the tumour. Microarray enables scientists to analyse the expression of many genes at the same time.
The technology has been used mainly in research, but Koki said the BCPC, which is being tested and should be ready by the summer, will be available to pathology laboratories.
“The BCPC will simultaneously measure expression of more than 900 important genes to augment conventional methods to clinically assess breast cancer,” said Koki.
The company is also planning clinical trials of the test to determine how it can optimise the treatment of breast cancer, which accounts for about a quarter of all cancers in European women.
An estimated 346,118 women in Europe were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 and more than 129,000 women died.
About 4,000 delegates from 80 countries are attending the five-day conference.
MeSH Headings:Biological Sciences: Biology: Community Health Services: Data Collection: Diagnosis: Diagnostic Services: Environment and Public Health: Epidemiologic Methods: Health Care Facilities, Manpower, and Services: Gene Expression Regulation: Genetic Screening: Genetics: Genetics, Biochemical: Health: Health Occupations: Health Services: Health Services Administration: Health Surveys: Information Science: Mass Screening: Medicine: Investigative Techniques: Molecular Biology: Population Characteristics: Preventive Health Services: Preventive Medicine: Public Health: Quality of Health Care: Specialties, Medical: Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic: Public Health Practice: Health Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation: Health Care Evaluation Mechanisms: Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures: Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment: Biological Sciences: Health Care: Information ScienceCopyright © 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.