[Molecular profiling and predictive signatures. Biomarker analysis in ovarian cancer]

Pathologe. 2008 Nov:29 Suppl 2:168-71. doi: 10.1007/s00292-008-1073-4.
[Article in German]

Abstract

The identification of tissue-based biomarkers is a major task for molecular cancer research. As ovarian cancer is a malignancy with a particular poor prognosis, new diagnostic tests are needed for the planning of an individualized therapy. Diagnostic biomarkers are investigated on different biological levels using genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics or metabolomics as a major approach. Protein biomarkers as well as RNA biomarkers can be measured in formalin-fixed tissue using immunohistochemistry as well as new techniques for isolation of nucleic acids. Furthermore, gene expression as well as metabolic signatures can be determined using frozen tissue. In a first evaluation, metabolomics has been used to investigate different types of ovarian tumors. In a systems pathology approach the results from the different biological levels are integrated to a combined signature that reflects the biological behaviour of the tumor.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics*
  • DNA, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling*
  • Humans
  • Metabolomics / methods
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Ovary / pathology
  • Prognosis
  • Proteomics
  • RNA, Neoplasm / genetics

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • DNA, Neoplasm
  • RNA, Neoplasm