In order to improve prognostic and predictive markers of breast cancer, assessment of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue is important. However, there are problems associated with the use of paraffin-embedded tissue for gene-expression profiling, especially when analyzing older samples. Paiket al. discuss the advantages of using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for gene-expression level quantification and describe how the Oncotype DX™ RT-PCR assay, among others, has helped to circumvent some of these challenges.
- Soonmyung Paik
- Chung-yeul Kim
- Wan-seop Kim
