A new test for breast cancer patients has been developed that can predict whether your cancer is likely to return or not only two weeks after starting treatment.
Experts said that thousands of breast cancer patients could be saved from unnecessary treatment as a result.
Scientists have devised the new test to detect the probability that cancer will happen again in patients with a type of breast cancer known as a positive estrogen receiver, the Human Epidermal 2 positive epidermal growth factor, which represents around 200,000 cases of cancer every year around the globe.
When writing in Ebiomedicine magazine, experts said the test means that some patients will be able to “descalize” their treatment, while they could also help identify those who need “more intensive therapeutic strategies.”
The test, developed by scientists from the Cancer Research Institute, London, correctly identifies 6% of patients with the highest risk of relapse.
The researchers analyzed samples of tumors from 213 patients.
They discovered that two weeks of hormonal therapy change the characteristics of some tumors, which makes their subtype change.
Patients with the greatest risk of cancer return had a type of tumor called B luminal that did not change after this short -term hormonal therapy.
Experts said these patients will require more intensive treatment.
They said that findings highlight the benefit of two weeks of hormonal therapy before surgery to help guide doctors decision making.
The corresponding author of the study, Dr. Maggie Cheang, of the Cancer Research Institute, London, said: “To provide truly personalized care, we need to refine how we classify breast cancer, so that each patient receives the treatment that is most likely to benefit them.
“While the current classification is based on the hormonal receiver and the state of HER2, we know that patients within these groups can respond very differently to the same therapy.
“Our previous research identified different molecular subtypes within positive breast cancer for the positive estrogen receiver. In this new study, we have shown that these subtypes can change after only two weeks of hormonal therapy.
“This idea helps us identify which patients will probably respond well and which can show early signs of treatment resistance, offering the opportunity to adapt treatment strategies before.
“Ultimately, our findings bring us closer to the most accurate and patient -centered care for this passing breast cancer overlook.”
Professor Kristian Helin, executive director of the Cancer Research Institute, London, added: “By decoding the underlying biology of tumors, we can adapt the treatments to individual patients.”
Dr. Simon Vincent, scientific director of Breast Cancer Now, who partially financed the study, said: “These findings join the growing evidence that genomic tests can play a powerful role to help predict the risk that the breast cancer of a woman returns, particularly in people with positive and positive bone cancer positive.
“There is the potential that women benefit greatly from this research in the future, and guarantees that they avoid undergoing unnecessary treatment and leading to more personalized treatment plans, so that women receive the most effective therapy for their specific type of breast cancer.”
