Abstract
BackgroundDuring the last years, several groups have identified prognostic gene expression signatures with apparently similar performances. However, signatures were never compared on an independent population of untreated breast cancer patients, where risk assessment was computed using the original algorithms and microarray platforms.ResultsWe compared three gene expression signatures, the 70-gene, the 76-gene and the Gene expression Grade Index (GGI) signatures, in terms of predicting distant metastasis free survival (DMFS) for the individual patient. To this end, we used the previously published TRANSBIG independent validation series of node-negative untreated primary breast cancer patients. We observed agreement in prediction for 135 of 198 patients (68%) when considering the three signatures. When comparing the signatures two by two, the agreement in prediction was 71% for the 70- and 76-gene signatures, 76% for the 76-gene signature and the GGI, and 88% for the 70-gene signature and the GGI. The three signatures had similar capabilities of predicting DMFS and added significant prognostic information to that provided by the classical parameters.ConclusionDespite the difference in development of these signatures and the limited overlap in gene identity, they showed similar prognostic performance, adding to the growing evidence that these prognostic signatures are of clinical relevance.
Highlights
During the last years, several groups have identified prognostic gene expression signatures with apparently similar performances
In order to investigate the enormous potential of these signatures towards better individualization of treatment options in breast cancer (BC) therapy, TRANSBIG, a network for translational research established by the Breast International Group (BIG), recently conducted a validation study of the 70-gene and 76-gene signatures which demonstrated the reproducibility and robustness of the 70- and 76-gene signatures [7,8]
Risk status computed by the prognostic signatures We used the original algorithms and microarray platforms to compute the risk status of 198 patients used in the second TRANSBIG validation study [8]
Summary
Several groups have identified prognostic gene expression signatures with apparently similar performances. In order to investigate the enormous potential of these signatures towards better individualization of treatment options in BC therapy, TRANSBIG, a network for translational research established by the Breast International Group (BIG), recently conducted a validation study of the 70-gene and 76-gene signatures which demonstrated the reproducibility and robustness of the 70- and 76-gene signatures [7,8] This important validation work has led to the implementation of one of the first prospective clinical trials, MINDACT (Microarray In Node-negative Disease may Avoid Chemotherapy Trial) which evaluates the benefit/risk ratio of chemotherapy when the assessment of prognosis based on clinico-pathological features differs from that provided by the 70-gene signature assessed by the MammaPrintTM [9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
