Gene expression profiling in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
Micro-array expression profiling has been proposed to have predictive and prognostic value for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. A critical update of recent publications on this topic is presented.


RESULTS
Thus far, some potentially interesting predictive gene profiles (consisting of 4-825 genes) have been described. The studies have focused on predicting survival, the development of lymph node metastases and the occurrence of distant metastases. The overlap of genes between studies was limited, probably related to differences in platforms, tumor subtypes and analytical methods. Validation of the profiles was suboptimal.


CONCLUSIONS
Micro-array expression profiling has no clinical benefit for the head and neck cancer patient at this moment. Clinical implementation will depend on the outcome of studies that focus on the proper validation of the proposed profiles in large uniform patient groups and on the translation of the findings into a cost-effective and easy-to-use assay for everyday practice.
Braakhuis
Boudewijn J M
BJ
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. bjm.braakhuis@vumc.nl
Brakenhoff
Ruud H
RH
Leemans
C René
CR
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods*; D051274:Glucose Transporter Type 3 / Q000235:genetics; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D051274:Glucose Transporter Type 3; C104147:SALL2 protein, human; C495687:SLC2A3 protein, human; D014157:Transcription Factors