FGD3 Gene as a New Prognostic Factor in Breast Cancer

Abstract

Despite the establishment of the traditional prognostic factors for breast cancer, patients belonging to the same histological and molecular subgroup often present quite different outcomes. Recently, the introduction of gene expression profiling, assessed by RT-qPCR and microarray DNA analysis, offered a view of the whole cell gene activity and the ability to identify new transcripts that are associated with outcome. This review aimed to gather all recent trials about new breast cancer prognostic factors, focusing on the most promising one, the FGD3 gene, and to discuss the real feasibility of a molecular approach in everyday clinical practice. In conclusion, all literature concerning this subject indicated that expression of the FGD3 gene is a strong marker of good prognosis in breast cancer patients and that immunohistochemistry represents an efficient, inexpensive, reproducible evaluation method, affordable also by small Institutions.