Genomic Tests to Predict Breast Cancer Recurrence

Preliminary data from clinical trials show that RNA analysis of thin sections of standard tumor biopsies can be used to evaluate panels of genes that may predict breast cancer recurrence and response to chemotherapy or EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) inhibitor therapy. The trial findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago (IL, USA).

Large-scale clinical trials have now begun that will examine prospectively defined endpoints in breast cancer recurrence, while similar trials will examine the response to chemotherapy and EGFR inhibitor therapy. These trials are based on the work of Genomic Health (Redwood City, CA, USA), which has perfected technology to conduct genomic analysis in fixed paraffin-embedded tissues (FPET), stored tumor tissue samples collected over the last 20 years. Instead of accumulating new tissue to track the outcomes of patients, Genomic Health uses FPET analysis, which can be performed on stored biopsies from patients whose outcomes are known. Genomic Health is an oncology-based healthcare services company for doctors and patients that provides individualized genomic analysis of tumor biopsies.

"Until now, the only indications we have had of long-term prognosis in breast cancer were tumor size and the number of involved nodes,” said Melody Cobleigh, M.D., director of the Comprehensive Breast Cancer Clinic at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center (Chicago, IL, USA). "This technology will allow us to tailor a prognosis to an individual patient, using a small panel of genes selected from thousands of genes.”