L’ESSENTIEL
- Researchers have found that a blood test could help better tailor breast cancer treatment for women age 70 and older.
- This blood test is based on the detection of circulating tumor DNA.
- These are modest fragments of genetic material released by cancer cells.
A simple blood test may soon help oncologists personalize treatment plans for older patients, according to the results of a latest study published in Clinical Cancer Research. The research suggests the test, which analyzes circulating tumor DNA, could provide crucial information for improving care for women over 70 diagnosed with breast cancer.
If the Blood Test is Negative, Hormone Therapy May Be Sufficient
“We are finding that not all patients need the same treatment based solely on their diagnosis, and care should be individualized for each person,” said Dr. Priscilla F. McAuliffe, a breast cancer surgical oncologist and the study’s lead author, in a press release. The scientists focused on a group of women aged 70 and older with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer – meaning their cancer cells have hormone receptors and may respond to hormone therapy.
But is hormone therapy alone enough? That’s the question this blood test aims to answer. By identifying, or not identifying, small fragments of genetic material released by cancer cells, researchers can determine whether hormone therapy is sufficient or if it should be combined with surgery or radiation.
When the blood test is negative, either at the start of treatment or after beginning hormone therapy, women are more likely to experience disease stabilization or tumor reduction. Researchers believe this indicates hormone therapy is effective on its own, and additional treatments like surgery or radiation likely wouldn’t improve outcomes for these patients. This finding is significant as it could help reduce unnecessary interventions in older adults.
Blood Draws Can Be Done in Local Clinics
Conversely, a positive test result suggests hormone therapy alone may not be enough. Researchers observed that a positive result was generally associated with tumor growth during treatment. For these patients, combining hormone therapy with other treatments, such as surgery or radiation, could better control the tumor.
Another benefit of the test is that patients were able to have their blood drawn at local laboratories, without needing to visit a hospital. “We made a concerted effort to include patients outside of the main academic medical center,” explained Neil Carleton, principal author. “Making care more accessible and convenient for patients, including access to clinical trials, is a priority.”
