Gene-expression signatures of nasal polyps associated with chronic rhinosinusitis and aspirin-sensitive asthma.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this review is to highlight recent advances in gene-expression profiling of nasal polyps in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and aspirin-sensitive asthma.


RESULTS
Gene-expression profiling has allowed simultaneous interrogation of thousands of genes, including the entire genome, to better understand distinct biological and clinical phenotypes associated with nasal polyps. The genes with altered expression in nasal polyps are involved in many cellular processes, including growth and development, immune functions, and signal transduction. The wide-ranging and typically nonoverlapping results reported in the published studies reflect methodological and demographic differences. The identified genes present possible novel therapeutic targets for nasal polyps associated with chronic rhinosinusitis and aspirin-sensitive asthma.


CONCLUSIONS
Gene-expression profiling is a powerful technology that allows definition of expression signatures to characterize patient subgroups, predict response to treatment, and offer novel therapies. Although the ability to interpret the meaning of the individual gene in these signatures remains a challenge, integrated analysis of a large number of these signatures with other genome-scale data sets and more traditional targeted approaches has a potential to revolutionarize understanding and treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis and aspirin-sensitive asthma.
Platt
Michael
M
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Metson
Ralph
R
Stankovic
Konstantina
K
D001241:Aspirin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy
D001241:Aspirin