Many women with breast cancer can avoid unnecessary chemotherapy through a genetic test. It indicates which patient it is unnecessary to avoid side effects without compromising the prognosis. This solution is commented on as another breakthrough in the treatment of this cancer.
This was demonstrated by global research, which was reported at the legislature of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), held in Chicago. Clinical trials were conducted in the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Australia of fresh Zealand and Thailand. These included more than 4.4 1000 patients aged at least 40 years, with early breast cancer and metastasis to adjacent lymph nodes (most frequently arm nodes).
Research called OPTIMA (Optima Personalized Treatment of early breakfast cancer utilizing Multi-parameter Analysis) was directed by British specialists from University College London. As reported on the university's website, they utilized the Pigigna genetic test to analyse the activity of 50 genes affecting breast cancer development. On this basis, it is possible to measure with large reliability which patients may make a recurrence of disease. Chemotherapy is required only if this is the case, as it reduces the hazard of relapse.
Observations lasted 5 years. Nearly 3 quarters of the subjects (68%) obtained a tiny number of points in the genetic test at that time, so it was considered that they did not require chemotherapy. After 5 years, 93.6 percent of them survived – almost as many as in the second group of women, in whom the test showed that chemotherapy could improve their prognosis. In these patients, the proportion of five-year-old endurance reached 94.8 percent.
According to the authors of the study, the usage of chemotherapy against patients in the first group would have no or small benefit, but would have exposed them to serious adverse reactions. Statistically, only 2% of them could benefit from therapeutic benefits.
Chemotherapy is usually offered to women with early breast cancer and metastatic lymph nodes. First, however, a tumor removal procedure is performed, from which a example for histopathological tests is taken. By the way, you can besides execute a genetic test. due to the fact that it requires a tiny amount of cancer cells, it can besides be performed after a tumour biopsy.
"Our survey has shown that many patients can safely avoid chemotherapy without compromising their prognosis," says the lead author, Prof. Rob Stein of University College London. The specialist emphasizes that this is another step towards personalized medicine, which means that the treatment is tailored individually to the patient.
It is not yet certain that akin effects can be obtained in younger women with breast cancer, under the age of 40. This is to be demonstrated by the next phase of OPTIMA research, but its results will be known for respective years.
APW, PAP
