( the scientific literature that seemed ...)Markers of gene, protein, or micro-RNA activity predict outcome in prostate and colorectal cancers

From this, they identified 16 candidate genes to further analyze. Ten of the genes were positively correlated to cancer progression, and six were negatively correlated, she said, and when tested, the combination generated a gene expression score that provided a better predictor of relapse than the Gleason score. "This gene expression score appears to give us additional prognostic information that current technology cannot provide, and that will help us treat patients accordingly," she said.

The assay they used was developed by Illumina Inc., of San Diego, which also funded this study. It uses fine optic beads and needs only tiny amount of DNA and RNA, Wang-Rodriguez said, and up to 96 different tests can be put on a single tray. "Having batches of samples together in a single assay that can then be read automatically makes it easy for routine clinical use," she said. "The test has a lot of potential, but needs to be further studied and validated."

Methylation Markers Are an Independent Predictor of Prostate Cancer Prognosis in a Cohort of 605 Radical Prostatectomy Patients: Abstract No. LB-226

Researchers have found that a test checking the methylation of a single gene can predict recurrence of prostate cancer in patients who have had their glands surgically removed.

In a clinical study of tumor tissue taken from 605 prostate cancer patients, those who had a positive PITX2 methylation test were three times more likely to experience cancer recurrence than those who tested negative, according to the study's lead author, Susan Cottrell, Ph.D., senior scientist at Epigenomics, Inc., in Seattle. Furthermore, the test predicted recurrence in all patient subgroups,
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Source:American Association for Cancer Research