Microarray-Based Gene Expression Profile Testing For Multiple Myeloma Risk Stratification

Multiple myeloma is a genetically complex and invariably fatal disease. A host of well-characterized factors related to tumor biology, tumor burden, and patient-centered characteristics are used to stratify individuals into high-, intermediate-, and standard-risk categories for prognostic purposes, as well as determining treatment intensity. However, clinical outcomes have varied among individuals in the same risk category who received similar therapy. Thus, more specific methods have been sought to classify multiple myeloma; one such method being proposed is the utilization of a microarray-based gene expression profile (GEP) analysis, which serves to reveal the underlying activity of cellular biologic pathways. This method lends itself to a variety of benefits including the ability to risk-stratify individuals with multiple myeloma, as well as guide treatment decisions.