
New studies suggest that many women with breast cancer can opt for gentler versions of chemotherapy, or skip it altogether, without harming their chances of overcoming the illness.
One study found that a gene test called Oncotype DX can determine whether or not a patient will benefit from chemotherapy. The test measures the activity of 21 genes to predict women’s risk of recurrence.
Currently, chemotherapy is recommended for women with breast cancer that has spread to lymph nodes, which amounts to about 45,000 women each year in the United States. However, the chemo does not help most of those treated.
The study found that as many as 18,000 women each year could safely skip chemo, and the new test is expected to immediately spur doctors to back off on chemotherapy and use it more selectively.
A second study of more than 1,000 women tested two chemotherapy drugs -- Adriamycin, a chemo mainstay that raises your risk of heart problems and leukemia, and Taxotere, which is not linked to heart problems.
After seven years, 87 percent of women given Taxotere survived compared with only 82 percent of those given Adriamycin. Further, those given Taxotere were less likely to have had a recurrence. The study suggests that Taxotere, the less harsh drug of the two, may be a better choice for breast cancer patients.
Sources:
- San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium December 13, 2007