Gene expression analysis and clinical diagnosis.
BACKGROUND
A new basis for diagnostic tests is being provided by the vast amount of data on gene expression that are now becoming available through large-scale measurement of mRNA abundance. The insights gained from these resources are most likely going to provide both a better basic understanding of disease mechanisms, and to identify molecular markers for more precise diagnoses and for prediction of prognosis and treatment response.


METHODS
Some quantitative RT-PCR assays are utilized today for diagnosis of both malignant and non-malignant disease, but the use of gene expression measurements in clinical medicine can be expected to increase dramatically.


CONCLUSIONS
There are important technical issues that must be adequately solved in order to obtain robust assays, such as standardized protocols with appropriate quality controls that ensure reliable data for the specific samples being analysed and good inter-laboratory reproducibility.
Sandvik
A K
AK
Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim. arne.sandvik@ntnu.no
Alsberg
B K
BK
Nørsett
K G
KG
Yadetie
F
F
Waldum
H L
HL
Laegreid
A
A
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D019963:Clinical Chemistry Tests / Q000379:methods*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods*; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality; D046228:Microarray Analysis / Q000379:methods; D011786:Quality Control; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D005819:Genetic Markers