[cDNA microarray technology as a laboratory examination method: a gene expression profiling test for analysis of drug...

cDNA microarray technology permits the simultaneous measurement of the expressions of thousands of genes. The technology is now an indispensable research tool in molecular biology, and the challenge is its development and usage as clinical diagnostic tools. cDNA microarray can be used to identify gene expression profiles in tumor cells which correlate strongly with the treatment responsiveness such as drug resistance and clinical outcome of the disease despite similar phenotypes. For the introduction of cDNA microarray into laboratory examination, many issues need to be resolved. Design of a diagnostic array must be developed with defined sequences based on interpretation of huge quantities of data from experimental arrays to predict treatment responsiveness. Assay quality must be improved in terms of detection sensitivity, reproducibility, and linear dynamic range for RNA quantitation. Generally available instruments, which are much less expensive and more practical, need to be developed. Along with the improvement of the assay as a laboratory examination method, cDNA microarray will facilitate the integration of diagnosis and therapeutics, and the introduction of individual medicines.