11 Dec Breast Cancer: 21-gene assay Can Help Choose Neoadjuvant Therapy

Posted at 14:25h in Author Interviews, Breast Cancer, Chemotherapy, Genetic Research by

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Harry D. Bear, MD, PhD Walter Lawrence, Jr. Distinguished Professor of Oncology; Chair, Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery; Professor, Departments of Surgery, Microbiology & Immunology, VCU School of Medicine; Director, Breast Health Center, VCU Massey Cancer Center; Medical Director Massey Cancer Center Clinical Trials Office Virginia Commonwealth University

Dr. Harry Bear

Harry D. Bear, MD, PhD
Walter Lawrence, Jr. Distinguished Professor of Oncology;
Chair, Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery;
Professor, Departments of Surgery, Microbiology & Immunology,
VCU School of Medicine; Director, Breast Health Center,
VCU Massey Cancer Center; Medical Director
Massey Cancer Center Clinical Trials Office
Virginia Commonwealth University

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Response: This was based on the utility of using the 21-gene assay of breast cancers to guide the decision to add chemotherapy to the adjuvant therapy for patients with hormone-responsive breast cancer.

We hypothesized that the Recurrence Score could be used to guide the choice of neoadjuvant therapy for women with hormone responsive breast cancer who needed pre-operative treatment to shrink the tumor and make breast conservation feasible.

The main findings were:
1) Using the 21-gene RS assay to guide  neoadjuvant therapy is feasible.
2) Clinical and pathologic responses were not negatively impacted by using neoadjuvant hormonal therapy in patients with RS<25.
3) Patients whose tumors have a low recurrence score can be safely and effectively treated with hormone therapy alone.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: These results support the use of the recurrence score to choose hormonal vs. chemotherapy, enabling more personalized care and optimizing outcomes for patients with ER+ early breast cancerwho are candidates for NST.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: I would like to see a larger prospective trial to build on the evidence from this pilot study that would provide definitive evidence for the use of genomic profiling of breast cancers to guide neoadjuvant therapy.

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

Disclosure:  Study supported by Genomic Health Inc.

Citation:
39th Annual SABCS 2016
Abstract: P2-10-04
Poster: “Using the 21-gene assay from core needle biopsies to choose neoadjuvant therapy for breast cancer: A multicenter trial”
Authors: Bear HD, Wan W, Robidoux A, Rubin P, Limentani S, White, Jr. RL, Granfortuna J, Hopkins JO, Oldham D, Rodriguez A, Sing AP.
Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.

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Last Updated on December 11, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD

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