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personalized Breast Cancer Therapies Show Promise in clinical Trials
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Two recent clinical trials, INAVO120 and SERENA-6, demonstrate the potential of personalized medicine in treating advanced breast cancer by targeting specific genetic mutations.
The INAVO120 trial focused on patients with advanced HER+,HER2- breast cancers that harbor mutations in the PIK3CA gene,wich are present in approximately one-third of cases. Researchers employed liquid biopsy tests to identify circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) released by breast cancer cells in the bloodstream and detect these PIK3CA mutations.
Eligible patients were then enrolled in the trial to assess whether adding inavolisib, a targeted drug, could improve survival rates. Inavolisib functions by inhibiting the signals that mutated PIK3CA genes use to promote cancer growth and spread.
The three-year trial, involving 325 participants, revealed that the addition of inavolisib extended the average time until cancer progression or recurrence to 17 months, compared to seven months in the group receiving only the standard two-drug regimen.Furthermore, the percentage of cancers responding to treatment more than doubled, and the time before chemotherapy was needed tripled.
“These results are really positive news for people living with a type of hard-to-treat breast cancer…improved survival.” – Dr. Nisharnthi Duggan
Early Detection of ESR1 Mutations with SERENA-6
The SERENA-6 trial addressed the issue of some advanced HER+, HER2- breast cancer patients developing mutations in the ESR1 gene, which can lead to resistance to standard hormone therapies. While ESR1 mutations are uncommon at the initial diagnosis of advanced breast cancer, they emerge in about 40% of patients during treatment.
The SERENA-6 trial utilized regular liquid biopsies to detect ESR1 mutations as early as possible, enabling doctors to switch to camizestrant before tumor growth began. Camizestrant blocks and breaks down estrogen receptors in breast cancer cells, negating the advantage conferred by ESR1 mutations.
Results indicated that replacing standard hormone therapy with camizestrant reduced the risk of breast cancer progression or death by over 50% and increased the average time to cancer regrowth from just over nine months to 16 months.
Elliott noted, “This study is a clear example of how blood tests are starting to transform cancer treatment.By tracking tiny traces of tumour DNA in the blood, researchers were able to spot early signs of treatment resistance and switch therapies before cancer had a chance to grow.”
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a liquid biopsy?
- A liquid biopsy is a non-invasive test that analyzes a blood sample to look for cancer cells or DNA fragments shed by tumors. It can help detect mutations and monitor treatment response.
- How does inavolisib work?
- Inavolisib is a targeted drug that blocks the signals that mutated PIK3CA genes use to promote cancer growth and spread in certain types of breast cancer.
- what are ESR1 mutations?
- ESR1 mutations are changes in the ESR1 gene that can cause resistance to standard hormone therapies in some advanced breast cancer patients.
- What is camizestrant?
- Camizestrant is a drug that blocks and breaks down estrogen receptors in breast cancer cells, counteracting the effects of ESR1 mutations.
- Why is personalized medicine important in cancer treatment?
- Personalized medicine allows doctors to tailor treatment to the specific genetic and molecular characteristics of each patient’s cancer,potentially leading to more effective and less toxic therapies.
Amelia Sanchez is a health reporter covering oncology and personalized medicine. She has a background in molecular biology and a passion for translating complex research into accessible information for the public.
