METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR PREDICTING DEATH FROM CANCER AND PROSTATE CANCER SURVIVAL USING GENE EXPRESSION SIGNATURES

摘要

The emerging concept of cancer stem cells suggests that activation in transformed cells of 'sternness' genetic pathways (e.g., normal stem cells' self-renewal pathways) may contribute to the survival life cycle of cancer stem cells, and to tumor progression and metastasis of the malignancy. Thus, activation of 'sternness' genes in cancer cells may be associated with aggressive clinical behavior and increased likelihood of therapy failure. General methods and kits associated with prediction of clinical outcome for a disease state of a subject based on gene expression analysis are described. The invention includes determining expression of at least three genes selected from the group consisting of GBX2, MKI67, CCNBl, BUBl, KNTC2, USP22, HCFCl, RNF2, ANK3, FGFR2, and CESl, and mouse homologs thereof.