obie7661
01-04-2007, 10:51 AM
Scientists in Taiwan have developed a simple, five-gene test aimed at showing which lung cancer patients most need chemotherapy, as similar tests now do for people with breast cancer and lymphoma.
The experimental test needs to be validated in larger groups of patients, so widespread use is perhaps a few years away. However, it's already winning praise for its possible use in everyday hospital settings instead of in limited situations by people with special genetics training.
"This has the potential to be extremely helpful," said Dr. David Johnson, a lung cancer expert at Vanderbilt University and former president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the world's largest group of cancer specialists.
"It's further proof that understanding genetic signatures may be helpful in how we treat patients. It may even allow us to avoid treating some patients," or to pinpoint those who may not respond to current drugs and would be better off trying an experimental therapy, he said...
Complete article: http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070104/D8ME808G0.html
The experimental test needs to be validated in larger groups of patients, so widespread use is perhaps a few years away. However, it's already winning praise for its possible use in everyday hospital settings instead of in limited situations by people with special genetics training.
"This has the potential to be extremely helpful," said Dr. David Johnson, a lung cancer expert at Vanderbilt University and former president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the world's largest group of cancer specialists.
"It's further proof that understanding genetic signatures may be helpful in how we treat patients. It may even allow us to avoid treating some patients," or to pinpoint those who may not respond to current drugs and would be better off trying an experimental therapy, he said...
Complete article: http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070104/D8ME808G0.html