Volume 114, Issue 2 pp. 241-248
Article

Current Applications of Microarrays in Head and Neck Cancer Research

Giles C. Warner MSc, FRCS Eng

Giles C. Warner MSc, FRCS Eng

Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Ontario Cancer Institute and Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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Patricia P. Reis PhD

Patricia P. Reis PhD

Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Ontario Cancer Institute and Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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Antti A. Makitie MD, PhD

Antti A. Makitie MD, PhD

Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Ontario Cancer Institute and Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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Mahadeo A. Sukhai MSc

Mahadeo A. Sukhai MSc

Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Ontario Cancer Institute and Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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Shilpi Arora PhD

Shilpi Arora PhD

Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Ontario Cancer Institute and Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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Igor Jurisica PhD

Igor Jurisica PhD

Department of Computer Science, Ontario Cancer Institute and Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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Richard A. Wells MD, PhD

Richard A. Wells MD, PhD

Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Ontario Cancer Institute and Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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Patrick Gullane MD

Patrick Gullane MD

Otolaryngology and Surgical Oncology, Ontario Cancer Institute and Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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Jonathan Irish MD

Jonathan Irish MD

Otolaryngology and Surgical Oncology, Ontario Cancer Institute and Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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Suzanne Kamel-Reid PhD

Corresponding Author

Suzanne Kamel-Reid PhD

Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Ontario Cancer Institute and Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Otolaryngology and Surgical Oncology, Ontario Cancer Institute and Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Suzanne Kamel-Reid, PhD, 610 University Avenue, Room 9-622, Princess Margaret Hospital, Ontario Cancer Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaSearch for more papers by this author
First published: 14 May 2009
Citations: 16

Abstract

Objectives/Hypothesis: The objective was to introduce microarray technology and its applications in cancer research to the head and neck clinician.

Study Design: Literature review combined with methodology and examples from the authors' experiences with microarray analysis of tumors of the head and neck.

Methods: Search of literature and the authors' experience was made for technical details, alternative methods of data analysis, available bioinformatics tools, and applications of microarrays in cancer research.

Results: Microarrays allow the simultaneous analysis of the expression of thousands of genes. The use of a well-developed microarray study design leads to informative results. There are various bioinformatics resources widely available to aid in the analysis of microarray data. However, there is not yet a gold standard for analysis because this methodology is still evolving.

Conclusion: Microarray studies may allow researchers to identify genetic changes relevant to diagnosis and prognosis in patients with head and neck cancer. Although still relatively new, this powerful methodology has immense potential to aid in understanding of the genetic changes that are important in head and neck cancer.

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