[9] The second study identified a technique that is now widely known as the microarray which quantifies complementary DNA (cDNA) hybridization on a glass slide to analyze the expression of many genes in parallel.
[10] These studies drew greater attention to the wealth of information that analysis of gene signatures bear that may or may not be physiologically relevant.
This concept termed prognostic gene signature, serves to offer insight into the overall outcome of the condition regardless of therapeutic intervention.
[17] Several studies have been conducted with focus on identifying prognostic gene signatures with the hopes of improving the diagnostic methods and therapeutic courses adopted in a clinical settings.
It is important to note that prognostic gene signatures are not a target of therapy; they offer additional information to consider when discussing details such as duration or dosage or drug sensitivity etc.
These signatures have implications in facilitating personalized medicine through identification of more novel therapeutic targets and identifying the most qualified subjects for optimal benefit of specific treatments.