Gene Expression Profiling

The gene expression service portfolio of the Institute is based on many years of experience with this technology in cancer. The portfolio for breast cancer comprises massive-parallel chip technology (CGE Chip) and focused quantitative PCR technology (Endopredict test).

Comprehensive Gene Expression Chip (CGE chip)

Sequencing the human genome and the simultaneous development of microarray techniques has enabled comprehensive gene expression analyses in cancer tissues. The measurement of the activity of thousands and thousands of cancer genes at once allows an overview of tumor cell function.

We are now able to routinely and cost-effectively measure the entire genome simultaneously, thus creating a detailed as well as global picture of the biology of individual tumors. This type of molecular fingerprinting now plays a key role in breast cancer phenotyping, prediction of prognosis and response to cancer therapy¹. CGE chips are universally applicable for all types of human cancer.

 Endopredict Test

The Endopredict (EP)² test is based on quantitative PCR technique. By measuring 8 cancer-related genes and 3 normalization genes EP can be used as a molecular predictor of distant recurrence in ER-positive, HER2/neu-negative breast cancer. EP adds independent information to conventional clinical risk factors. Combined with nodal status and tumor size into a comprehensive risk score, EPclin, the score outperforms all conventional clinicopathologic risk factors. Thus, the EP test is of utmost importance for patients suffering from a major subgroup of breast cancer called luminal-like. The EPclin score helps the doctor to identify patients who can avoid chemotherapy.

 Test pre-conditions

Ideally suited for high-resolution CGE-chip technology is fresh frozen tumor tissue allowing both optimal CGE chip analysis and complementing high quality immunohistochemical staining. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue can also be used. Minute tissue quantities (e. g. needle biopsies) are sufficient. Detailed rules for sampling are provided with our Specimen Collection and Transport Kit.

Test duration

Maximum test duration is 7 days.

 Logistics

Lead time between notification of our Lab and surgery must not be shorter than 24 hours for collection of deep-frozen tissue within Germany. Fourty-eight hours are required for other European countries. At least 72 hours are necessary for most non-European countries.