Transcriptional profiling in cancer: the path to clinical pharmacogenomics
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 24, 2026

A Multiplexed Luciferase-based Screening Platform for Interrogating Cancer-associated Signal Transduction in Cultured Cells
Published on: July 3, 2013
1Genetics Institute, Wyeth-Ayerst Research, 35 Cambridge Park Drive, Cambridge, MA 02140, USA. dslonim@gomez.genetics.com
Abstract:
Cancer is a major source of morbidity and mortality, second only to heart disease as the leading cause of death in most developed countries. Our ability to treat the disease depends heavily on our understanding its aetiology. Different types of cancer often respond best to different courses of treatment, yet our understanding of cancer classification remains imperfect. Novel expression-monitoring technology provides unique opportunities to learn more about cancer at the molecular level, to improve classification methods, and to progress towards personalised cancer treatment. This review describes the techniques that make such advances possible, summarises recent work in the area, and discusses future developments needed to realise the potential of a thorough molecular classification of cancer.
Insights
Understanding cancer's molecular basis is key to improving treatments. Novel expression-monitoring technologies offer new ways to classify cancers and develop personalized therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Cancer remains a leading cause of death globally, with treatment efficacy dependent on accurate etiological understanding.
- Current cancer classification systems are imperfect, hindering optimal treatment selection.
- Advances in molecular understanding are crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review novel expression-monitoring technologies for cancer research.
- To summarize recent advancements in molecular cancer classification.
- To discuss future directions for personalized cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on expression-monitoring technologies.
- Analysis of recent studies utilizing these technologies for cancer classification.
- Discussion of technological and analytical challenges.
Main Results:
- Expression-monitoring technologies offer deep insights into cancer at the molecular level.
- These technologies facilitate improved cancer classification and identification of therapeutic targets.
- Progress is being made towards molecularly informed, personalized cancer care.
Conclusions:
- Thorough molecular classification of cancer is essential for advancing personalized medicine.
- Continued development and application of expression-monitoring technologies are vital.
- Future research should focus on integrating molecular data for precise cancer treatment strategies.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics: Overview
Pharmacogenetic Phenotypes: Alterations in Pharmacokinetics, Drug Targets and Biologic Milieu
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Metabolism: Overview
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase
Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets

