The need to embrace molecular profiling of tumor cells in prostate and bladder cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Current treatment strategies for urological cancer are still based on empirical formulae as opposed to treatment tailored for each cancer patient. To individualize treatment, the multiple molecular abnormalities within tumor cell populations needs to be mapped out. The aim of this article is to explain molecular profiling (MP) and its associated techniques so that the process is not purely seen as a research tool but as a future adjunctive measure in patient diagnosis and treatment.


METHODS
A Medline search of publications relating to MP of prostate and bladder cancer was carried out. A review article was written combining the relevant published literature along with the clinical and scientific experience of both centers.


RESULTS
The advent of MP now provides a strategy by which these molecular abnormalities can be assessed. As well as being of diagnostic and prognostic use, these molecular profiles will identify putative molecular abnormalities within tumor cells that may be appropriate for therapeutic modulation.


CONCLUSIONS
In prostate and bladder cancer, mapping out the molecular abnormalities could be translated into a valuable tool to help solve difficult issues regarding patient management decisions.
Duggan
Brian J
BJ
Department of Urology, Belfast City Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland. bjduggan71@hotmail.com
McKnight
John J
JJ
Williamson
Kate E
KE
Loughrey
Maurice
M
O'Rourke
Declan
D
Hamilton
Peter W
PW
Johnston
Samuel R
SR
Schulman
Claude C
CC
Zlotta
Alexandre R
AR
D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020543:Proteome; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D020543:Proteome; D012333:RNA, Messenger