Predicting Breast Cancer Metastasis Using DNA Microarray
Dutch company Agendia is the first to be granted ISO 17025 accreditation* for its MammaPrint service that examines a panel of 70 genes found in breast cancer tumors using DNA microarrays. Agendia claims that the MammaPrint genetic test is capable of accurately identifying patients who run a high risk (50% chance) and others who have a low risk (10-15% chance) of metastasis.
The MammaPrint genetic test is available to breast cancer patients via their oncologists.
Your oncologist will inform you on the test results and advise you on the best follow-up treatment plan for your specific condition, which may include chemotherapy. MammaPrint ensures that high risk patients are immediately identified and thus get the treatment they need, thereby enhancing the chances of success. At the same time, low risk patients can be spared the subjection to additional therapy, which is an important step towards minimizing overtreatment of patients.
One of the troubling things about MammaPrint is that it has been tested in only 300 patients. But used in combination with existing diagnostic methods, the MammaPrint genetic test could improve the prognosis of many breast cancer patients.
*From Bios International Corporation:
“ISO developed its 17025 standard to assess the competency of testing and calibration laboratories. The requirements of ISO 17025 encompass all aspects of laboratory management, including calibration procedures, analytical testing proficiency, report generation and record keeping, and ensure calibrations are performed by properly-trained personnel using controlled test methods and procedures.”
First seen at GenomeWeb Daily News, September 5, 2005
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POSTED IN: Genetics of Disease
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