| Abstract: |
In 1999, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) began a funding initiative called the Director's Challenge: Toward a Molecular Classification of Tumors, with the goal of defining comprehensive profiles of molecular alterations in tumors that could be used to identify subsets of patients. These molecular profiles would provide the basis for future studies to validate the clinical utility of molecular-based classification schemes. A further goal of this initiative was the development and implementation of a plan for the timely release of the extensive data sets expected to result from these projects. At that time, it was becoming apparent that the knowledge of the entire human genome combined with rapidly improving technology for comprehensive analysis of the 20,000 to 25,000 genes and encoded proteins would provide an opportunity for a deeper understanding of the molecular basis of disease processes that would guide the evolution of improved therapies based on new diagnostic schemes. Specific molecular profiles correlate with important clinical parameters, which should allow physicians to base management decisions on the molecular characteristics of an individual patient's tumor, and improve a physician's ability to determine the primary tumor site for tumors of unknown origin at the time of their detection. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. |
