Gibt es aktuell einen Stellenwert für die molekulare Testung von Brustkrebs?

The gene expression analysis and identification of appropriate predictive and/or prognostic gene signatures is a paradigm for scientific process and many expectations are associated. Big hope has been placed in these new molecular markers, but it is very much the question as to whether the new gene expression based risk scores will bring an information gain in comparison with the classical histo-pathological markers. However, these studies have to demonstrate that not only the identification of a high-risk subgroup is feasible, but the reduction of individual risk of disease recurrence by a specific treatment is achievable. So far it can not be clearly stated whether the practical application of those test systems is actually applicable in clinical practice. Only molecular tests that allow a dichotomous result are helpful in clinical decision making in contrast to an intermediate risk classification which does not provide further information except a clear guidance to action is given. Otherwise this would lead to uncertainty of patient and therapist.Global molecular test methods gain in importance in the future with regards to identification of new predictive markers for many new substances of which we do not know the perfect patient subgroup with highest treatment success.