Molecular Analysis of Cancer

	reviewed in: Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Vol. 126, No. 7 July 2002

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Molecular Analysis of Cancer is volume 68 of the Methods in Molecular Medicine series and is edited by Jacqueline Boultwood and Carrie Fidler of the Leukemia Research Fund, Oxford, United Kingdom. Many of the techniques used in a diagnostic molecular biology laboratory are described. These include fluorescence in situ hybridization, comparative genomic hybridization analysis, microsatellite analysis, DNA fingerprinting, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and differential display. Newer techniques, for example, gene expression analysis using complementary DNA microarrays, are also described. In most cases, the research protocols are detailed and include information such as buffer composition and primer sequences. Although different authors write the chapters in this book, the editors have done a good job in creating uniformity of presentation. In addition, instructions are provided for specific molecular tests including detection of BCR-ABL expression in chronic myelogenous leukemia, mutational analysis of the ATM gene, and PCR detection of the 2;5 translocation.

As is evident from the title, the book is restricted to the molecular diagnosis of neoplastic diseases. Tests commonly performed in molecular pathology laboratories, such as hepatitis C virus genotyping and factor V Leiden analysis, are not described.

The book does have short conceptual descriptions of the techniques described, but it is not designed for readers with a minimal background in molecular biology. The intent of this book is to describe techniques to readers who have at least a working knowledge of molecular biology. A basic molecular biology textbook would be more appropriate for those seeking a conceptual understanding of modern molecular techniques. There is a limited discussion of subjects such as bioinformatics, but readers are directed to the appropriate sources in the “References” section.

This book would be useful to pathologists who supervise diagnostic molecular biology laboratories and to those undergoing training in molecular genetic pathology.