A French association, Ruban Rose, recently raised over 3 million euros at its annual gala in Paris, recognizing advancements in breast cancer research and care. A key honor went to Dr. Elise Deluche of the University Hospital of Limoges for her work on potentially shortening the duration of hormone therapy,a common treatment with critically important side effects for hormone-sensitive breast cancer patients. Her research, conducted in partnership with Agendia, aims to identify patients who may safely reduce their treatment period from the standard five years, improving their quality of life. this award underscores the growing focus on personalized cancer treatment and the importance of ongoing research to refine existing protocols.
A French association, Ruban Rose, raised over 3 million euros on Tuesday evening during its 22nd annual awards gala held in Paris. Among those honored was Dr. Elise Deluche, head of the oncology department at the University Hospital of Limoges (CHU de Limoges), for her research on hormone therapy. The recognition highlights ongoing efforts to improve treatment and quality of life for breast cancer patients.
“I am very proud, indeed, because this is a study that has a huge impact on many people,” Dr. Deluche said Wednesday, the day after receiving the Ruban Rose Quality of Life Award. The award recognizes her team’s research focused on reducing the duration of hormone therapy for breast cancer patients.
Currently, patients diagnosed with hormone-sensitive breast cancer typically receive hormone therapy – daily medication – for five years, a standard international protocol. However, Dr. Deluche explained that studies have shown significant side effects, sometimes even more pronounced than those experienced with chemotherapy. “We’ve found that approximately 50% of our patients discontinue hormone therapy within the five-year period,” she noted.
Improving Treatment for Patients with Hormone-Sensitive Cancer
Working with Agendia, a test has been developed to identify patients at very low risk of recurrence. “Essentially, if we don’t give these patients hormone therapy, or give them a reduced course, they won’t have a higher risk of their disease progressing,” Dr. Deluche explained. Currently, treatment guidelines mandate five years of hormone therapy for all patients. The data from this research could potentially allow some patients to receive as little as two years of treatment, reducing the burden of side effects.
Prix Ruban Rose Qualité de Vie 2025 – Elise Deluche
The study, Dr. Deluche emphasized, is a significant financial undertaking, costing over 1 million euros. “Any additional funding is very important because the study will last ten years to collect patient data and understand how they experience stopping hormone therapy. Is there any long-term risk for them?” The award, which includes a 150,000 euro grant, will help continue the research. “This endowment of 150,000 euros is already huge for us. When I say compared to a million, it seems small. But we need funding regularly over the ten years. So any funding that comes in helps maintain the study.”
A Unique Study in Europe
The “Less” study is a valuable contribution to breast cancer research. Only two such studies are currently being conducted worldwide – one in Canada and the other led by Professor Deluche. This recognition highlights the importance of her work and elevates the profile of Limoges as a center for innovative cancer research. “Few CHUs are represented,” Dr. Deluche noted, “so I am pleased that Limoges can lead a project of this scale and demonstrate our ability to conduct these types of studies. I am very proud to represent my CHU and, of course, my city.”
