Widely acclaimed as the next front in medical advances, the promise of individualized medicine is becoming a reality thanks to advances in understanding the molecular basis of diseases such as breast cancer. Scientists can now develop treatments tailored to individual genetic profiles, as well as perform tests to gauge how the patient will respond to existing treatments.
Today, some women with early-stage breast cancer and their physicians may make more informed decisions about treatment with Oncotype DX Breast Cancer Assay. The service provides quantitative information about the genes from a woman's individual tumors to generate a recurrence score between zero and 100, indicating whether she has more, moderate or no return for her cancer after treatment. At low risk.
Oncotype DX is intended for patients with node negative, estrogen receptor positive breast cancer who are likely to be treated with hormonal therapy. About half of the 230,000 patients diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States each year fall into this category, and are often offered treatment with chemotherapy, which is widely used with significant side effects. There is a cure. Medical studies show that chemotherapy improves patient survival rates in only 4 out of 100 patients, yet thousands of women continue to choose this expensive and toxic treatment with only limited information on whether to respond.
A recent study has shown that women with higher recurrence scores benefit more from chemotherapy, while women with lower scores benefit only less. Furthermore, only 25% of women fall into the high-risk group, compared to 50% in the low-risk group, indicating that this general treatment is not suitable for every patient.
Elizabeth Sullivan of New York City is one of many breast cancer patients who do not respond to chemotherapy. Elizabeth, an active mother with two young boys, was considering having another child when she was diagnosed at just 40 years old. She wanted to avoid chemotherapy, with its disruptive, short-term side effects and potentially serious long-term implications, but also wanted to make sure it wouldn't help.
While working with her doctor, Ruth Oratz, MD, at NYU Medical Center, Elizabeth decided to have Oncotype DX tested, and when her recurrence score dropped, she indicated that she might be undergoing some special treatment with chemotherapy. Could not take advantage.
"No two women with breast cancer are exactly alike. Oncotype DX provides information that determines the likelihood of recurrence of the disease beyond standard measures such as age, tumor size and tumor stage." Says Dr. Oratz. "Oncotype DX gave Elizabeth and me confidence and peace of mind in choosing the best treatment for her."
For Susan Bacon of Denver, Colorado, Oncotype DX provided a variety of peace of mind. Susan's recurrence score indicated that her risk of recurrence of cancer was very high, and that chemotherapy could potentially benefit both her surprise and her doctor.
"Based on my other tests, my doctor said he would not recommend chemotherapy otherwise. I was surprised to find out my result, but I was glad I did because I believe this test did. It basically saved my life, "Susan explained.
Elizabeth Sullivan is also grateful for the information she received from Oncotype DX. "Not all cancers are the same, so why treat everyone equally with such a toxic substance?" she said. "It's remarkable that, after all, doctors can distinguish one person's cancer from another's - I'm so grateful."
Oncotype DX is a simple test that can only be prescribed by a doctor. This is performed on a small amount of breast tumor tissue that is removed during a standard lumpectomy, mastectomy or biopsy, meaning no additional procedures are required.
You must be logged in to post a comment.