Technology with New Gene Analysis Better at Spotting Cancer Risk.

Byline: Marilynn Marchione

Dec. 19--A DNA computer chip that analyzes the genetic fingerprints of breast cancer tumors beat the methods doctors use now to predict whether a woman will survive or benefit from chemotherapy, a landmark study found.

The results are a dramatic demonstration of the potential of genetics to transform cancer treatment from "one size fits most" to custom-tailored medicine, doctors say.

The findings also support the evolving theory that whether a cancer will spread and kill is established early on, rather than something that develops later in the disease process.

If this turns out to be true, or at least true for certain cancers, it would mean …