European Journal of Cancer: Highlights of Issue 40:18

Expression 'signatures' predicting outcome and response

'Portraits' of breast cancer predicting outcome or treatment response

Breast cancers can be divided into subtypes with different clinical outcomes using expression patterns ('portraits') of the tumours, according to a Norwegian researcher reporting in this issue. Dr. Sorlie (Department of Genetics, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo) used pairs of tumour samples - for example, taken before and after chemotherapy - from the same patients and found that these could be classified based on their unique expression 'signatures' or 'portraits'. Five distinct subgroups were defined based on these 'portraits'. Differences in overall survival and/or time to the development of metastases were noted for the different subgroups in independent data-sets - suggesting this research may have clinical relevance. "The strength of this method lies in its ability to identify clusters of genes that in a unique combination will distinguish subgroups of disease and predict outcome or treatment response. This multi-gene approach will undoubtedly be superior to the standard clinical markers currently in use".

Marine anti-tumour drugs

Marine anti-cancer research is sustained by the collaborative efforts of many countries according to US researchers in this issue. Mayer and Gustafson review the literature during 2001 and 2002 on 97 novel anti-tumour agents. They found that many of them belong to diverse structural classes, including polyketides, terpenes, steroids and peptides. The research was sustained by efforts from about 25 countries. Issues of supply, formulation and manufacturing remain important for the successful development of these agents, they said. "Research efforts aimed at the discovery of novel and clinically useful anti-tumour agents derived from marine organisms continue to be both sustained and global in nature".

Contraception in young adults with cancer

Avoidance of undesired pregnancies in young adults or teenagers with cancer, during and after treatment, requires a careful review of the contraceptive needs of this group. Laurence and colleagues review in this issue the different methods available and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. They recommend the use of the male condom, to prevent viral and bacterial infections, together with another method with better contraceptive effects. These issues need to be highlighted in this group of patients and this demands the awareness and education of the oncology teams and collaboration with family planning units, they conclude.

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