Liquid Biopsies & Breast Cancer: Drug Resistance Detection
- A new study reveals that blood tests, known as liquid biopsies, can enhance treatment for individuals with metastatic breast cancer, potentially keeping tumors in check for over a...
- While liquid biopsies haven't replaced conventional screening methods, research demonstrates their ability to assist doctors in monitoring cancer and selecting effective treatments.
- The research, featured in The New England Journal of Medicine, focused on estrogen-fueled breast cancers.
liquid biopsies are revolutionizing metastatic breast cancer treatment. A recent study reveals that these blood tests can detect drug resistance and mutations much earlier than conventional imaging, possibly extending tumor control by more than a year. This enables doctors to switch to more effective medications, a notable advancement in patient care. Learn how liquid biopsies, the primary_keyword, are helping identify key protein changes in cancer cells. This approach, which can be a secondary_keyword, is explored through the research published in The New England Journal of Medicine and is now being used in various cancer treatments. News Directory 3 understands the importance of this. Discover what’s next in breast cancer treatment!
Liquid Biopsies Improve Metastatic Breast Cancer Treatment, Study shows
A new study reveals that blood tests, known as liquid biopsies, can enhance treatment for individuals with metastatic breast cancer, potentially keeping tumors in check for over a year. These tests identify tumor cells and DNA in the bloodstream.
While liquid biopsies haven’t replaced conventional screening methods, research demonstrates their ability to assist doctors in monitoring cancer and selecting effective treatments. These sophisticated tests detect minute DNA fragments released by tumor cells,identifying key protein changes in cancer cells.
The research, featured in The New England Journal of Medicine, focused on estrogen-fueled breast cancers. Effective treatments target specific proteins, but mutations can render drugs ineffective, leading to cancer regrowth. Liquid biopsies serve as an early warning system, signaling the need for alternative medications, according to Dr. Nicholas Turner, a study co-author.
The study indicated that patients who altered their treatment based on liquid biopsy results were twice as likely to achieve tumor control compared to those who maintained their original therapy. Turner emphasized this approach as a significant advancement over current practices.
Currently, doctors monitor treatment effectiveness through imaging tests every three months. The study revealed that liquid biopsies can detect mutations up to nine months earlier than scans,allowing for timely switches to more effective treatments. In approximately 1 in 10 patients, biopsies identified mutations that would diminish the effectiveness of their current treatment.
“We have very effective treatments, but they can wear off,” Turner said. “And if they wear off and the cancer starts growing again, it can make the person unwell. if they have cancer in the bones, it can start to cause pain.”
Dr. Massimo Cristofanilli, a study author, noted that researchers randomly assigned 315 participants with mutations to either change therapy promptly or continue their existing medications. One percent of the participants were men. Those who switched early received camizestrant, an experimental drug that interferes with estrogen’s ability to stimulate cancer growth. AstraZeneca funded the trial, building on NIH-funded research.
Patients who switched to camizestrant experienced stable cancer for 16 months, compared to nine months for those who did not switch. After one year, 61% of those who switched had stable disease, compared to 33% of those who did not. After two years, the figures were 30% and 5%, respectively.
Participants who switched therapies reported good overall health for 23 months, while others reported a decline after 6.4 months.
“If we switch the treatment at just the right time, we can keep the cancer asleep, stop it from progressing and keep the person well,” Turner said. “Many of my patients get back to work and just keep going with normal lives. They get time with their kids.”
While camizestrant is experimental, Faslodex, a similar drug, is FDA-approved.
Unanswered questions
Camizestrant caused more side effects than hormonal drugs, but most patients continued its use. Side effects included reduced white blood cells and a slower heart rate. Patients were also more likely to experience visual disturbances.
Dr. Heather Parsons, a medical oncologist, noted the study’s importance but cautioned that the results are preliminary. She emphasized the need to determine whether early therapy changes benefit patients or lead to earlier use of more toxic treatments.
The study did not determine whether the new approach extends patient lifespan. Turner plans to continue monitoring participants to assess survival rates.
Currently, metastatic breast cancer patients live approximately five years after diagnosis, requiring long-term studies to assess treatment effectiveness. the study primarily involved white participants, raising questions about the generalizability of the findings.
The American Cancer Society estimates that about 317,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women and 2,800 in men in the U.S. this year, with about 42,170 deaths.
Dr. Kelly Shanahan, a metastatic breast cancer patient, described the results as “exciting” and “compelling,” expressing interest in discussing early treatment switches with her oncologist.
Other uses for liquid biopsies
Scientists are exploring liquid biopsies to improve treatment for various cancers. A 2022 study in The New England Journal of Medicine demonstrated the use of tumor DNA to predict which early colon cancer patients would require chemotherapy after surgery. Dr.Jeanne Tie noted that many doctors now use liquid biopsies for colon cancer patients, although availability varies.
Liquid biopsies are also under investigation for cancer screening in healthy individuals. The FDA recently approved Shield, the first blood test for colorectal cancer screening. However, it is not intended to replace colonoscopies, and neither the American cancer Society nor the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has endorsed it as a screening method. While Shield correctly identified 83% of colon cancers, it has not been proven to save lives.
Dr. Cristofanilli anticipates that liquid biopsies may provide further clarity in cases of unclear mammogram results, potentially reducing the need for painful needle biopsies.