Critical Reviews in Oncology / Hematology
Volume 77, Issue 1 , Pages 20-29, January 2011

Genomic Grade Index: An important tool for assessing breast cancer tumor grade and prognosis

  • Otto Metzger Filho

      Affiliations

    • Institut Jules Bordet, 121 Boulevard de Waterloo, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +32 02541 3145; fax: +32 02541 3477.
  • ,
  • Michail Ignatiadis

      Affiliations

    • Medical Oncology Department, Translational Research Unit, Institut Jules Bordet, 121 Boulevard de Waterloo, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium
  • ,
  • Christos Sotiriou

      Affiliations

    • Institut Jules Bordet, 121 Boulevard de Waterloo, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium

Accepted 15 January 2010. published online 08 February 2010.

Abstract 

Different multi-gene expression signatures have been shown to outperform classic histopathologic variables and therefore represent an important step towards personalizing breast cancer treatment. In particular, gene profiles overcome many of the limitations observed with classic histopathologic variables. The Genomic Grade Index (GGI) is a gene expression signature developed to better define histologic grade assessment. GGI divides classic histologic grade into low and high risk, instead of grades 1, 2 and 3. The ability of GGI to predict response to chemotherapy and separate hormone receptor positive breast cancer subtypes has also been demonstrated. This article critically reviews the limitations inherent in classic histologic grade evaluation; it also reviews the process of gene signature development in general and then focuses on GGI, its biologic significance, comparison with different gene signatures, and its applicability to clinical practise.

Keywords: Breast cancer, Gene expression profiling, Gene signatures, Histologic grade, Prognosis

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PII: S1040-8428(10)00012-0

doi:10.1016/j.critrevonc.2010.01.011

Critical Reviews in Oncology / Hematology
Volume 77, Issue 1 , Pages 20-29, January 2011