JAMA Network | JAMA Oncology | Gene Mutation Profiling of Breast Cancers for Clinical Decision Making: Drivers and Passengers in the Cart Before the Horse

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JAMA Network | JAMA Oncology | Gene Mutation Profiling of Breast Cancers for Clinical Decision Making:  Drivers and Passengers in the Cart Before the Horse

Viewpoint | May 14, 2015

Gene Mutation Profiling of Breast Cancers for Clinical Decision MakingDrivers and Passengers in the Cart Before the Horse FREEONLINE FIRST

Vered Stearns, MD1,2; Ben Ho Park, MD, PhD1,2

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JAMA Oncol. Published online May 14, 2015. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2015.0761

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Recent advances in molecular profiling allow for a rapid and relatively inexpensive assessment of multiple altered genes or gene products from small amounts of tumor tissues or blood. The challenge ahead is how to properly incorporate these results into clinical practice, and how to provide patients with the best possible yet evidence-based care. Herein, we provide a brief overview of genetic mutation profiling with a focus on next-generation sequencing (NGS) and possible clinical utility.

ARTICLE INFORMATION

Corresponding Author: Vered Stearns, MD, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 1650 Orleans St, Room 144, Baltimore, MD 21287-0013 (vstearn1@jhmi.edu).

Published Online: May 14, 2015. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2015.0761.

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Dr Stearns received research funding from Abbvie, Celgene, Medimmune, Merck, Novartis, and Pfizer. Dr Park received funding from Foundation Medicine and Genomic Health Inc and served as a consultant to Genomic Health Inc.

Funding/Support: Our research was funded by National Institutes of Health grant P30 CA06973, The Commonwealth Foundation, and The Santa Fe Foundation.

Role of the Funder/Sponsor: The funding sources had no role in the design and conduct of the research; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

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