Gene Expression Ratio Test Can Predict Survival in Mesothelioma Cases

The May 6th Journal of the National Cancer Institute features a report on a 4-gene expression ratio test that can accurately predict survival in cancer patients diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).

The experiment was organized by Dr. Raphael Bueno from Harvard Medical School and the goal was to give physicians a useful tool to help them choose the best method of treatment for their patients.

The team used the results of a 120-patient clinical trial to see whether a 4-gene expression ratio test could accurately predict overall survival and cancer-specific survival for malignant pleural mesothelioma patients who underwent surgery.

Researchers assigned put the patients into two groups depending on the outcome of the test. Patients in the good outcome group had a much higher overall survival (16.8 months) and median cancer specific survival (21.9 months) than patients assigned to the poor outcome group (9.5 months median, 15.9 months cancer-specific survival).

Bueno and his team concluded that compared to current staging methods, the ratio test provided additional predictive data on patient outcomes.

The results of the tests could allow patients to better understand their treatment options. Mesothelioma patients whose tests suggested poor outcomes and are not prime candidates for surgery could be persuaded towards other supportive treatments. Patients with better test results may be more apt to select surgical treatments and may gain a psychological edge from the results.

Dr. Bueno added that this type of test could be adapted to other forms of cancer including lung, bladder and prostate cancer.

Source: Reuters

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