Gene expression profiling in colorectal cancer using microarray technologies: results and perspectives

Cancer Treat Rev. 2009 May;35(3):201-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2008.10.006. Epub 2008 Dec 9.

Abstract

Nowadays molecular biology represents one of the most interesting topics in medical oncology, because it provides a global and detailed view on the molecular changes involved in tumour progression, leading to a better understanding of the carcinogenesis process, to discovering new prognostic markers and novel therapeutic targets. The gene expression profiling analysis with microarray technology has shown a great potential in cancer research and in medical oncology, mapping simultaneously the expression of thousands of genes in a single tumour sample and giving a measurement of articulated genes expression patterns. Colorectal cancer represents a wide and exciting area of research for molecular biology, due to the growing need of a molecular classification as well as prognostic and predictive molecular factors that may guide oncologists in patient's clinical management. The aim of this review is to analyze the state of art of gene expression profile in colorectal cancer using microarrays technologies and to explore some perspectives in this research field.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / chemistry
  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy
  • Adenocarcinoma / genetics*
  • Adenocarcinoma / secondary
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics*
  • DNA, Complementary / analysis
  • DNA, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Disease Progression
  • Drug Monitoring / methods
  • Female
  • Forecasting
  • Gene Expression Profiling*
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary
  • Male
  • Medical Oncology / methods
  • Neoplasm Proteins / analysis*
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis*
  • Prognosis
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Neoplasm / analysis
  • RNA, Neoplasm / biosynthesis
  • RNA, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • DNA, Complementary
  • DNA, Neoplasm
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Neoplasm