Translating a gene expression signature for multiple myeloma prognosis into a robust high-throughput assay for clinical use.

Background: Widespread adoption of genomic technologies in the management of heterogeneous indications, including Multiple Myeloma, has been hindered by concern over variation between published gene expression signatures, difficulty in physician interpretation and the challenge of obtaining sufficient genetic material from limited patient specimens.

Methods: Since 2006, the 70-gene prognostic signature, developed by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has been applied to over 4,700 patients in studies performed in 4 countries and described in 17 peer-reviewed publications. Analysis of control sample and quality control data compiled over a 12-month period was performed.

BreastPRS is a gene expression assay that stratifies intermediate-risk Oncotype DX patients into high- or low-risk for disease recurrence.

Molecular prognostic assays, such as Oncotype DX, are increasingly incorporated into the management of patients with invasive breast carcinoma. BreastPRS is a new molecular assay developed and validated from a meta-analysis of publically available genomic datasets. We applied the assay to matched fresh-frozen (FF) and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor samples to translate the assay to FFPE.