Genomics in breast and prostate cancer: assessment of the current state and future perspectives

Genomic approaches to cancer are beginning to have an important impact in unraveling the complex etiologies of this disease, as well as allowing us to rationally treat afflicted patients. In this article, we will focus largely on genomic approaches to breast and prostate cancer susceptibility, as well as pharmacogenomic approaches to treatment. Current genomic approaches to cancer susceptibility have led to some significant, if not spectacular, successes which include breast cancer. More modest achievements, if not outright failures, such as in prostate cancer, are also notable and will be discussed further. We propose interdisciplinary approaches involving basic, clinical and population scientists to vigorously attack the cancer problem scientifically and with more organization. We highlight recent successes and suggest new approaches with a personal, if not provocative, perspective.