Personalized Treatment Trial for Breast Cancer

The majority of women with early-stage breast cancer are advised to receive chemotherapy in addition to radiation and hormonal therapy, yet research has not demonstrated that chemotherapy benefits all of them equally. TAILORx seeks to incorporate a molecular profiling test (a technique that examines many genes simultaneously) into clinical decision making, and thus spare women unnecessary treatment if chemotherapy is not likely to be of substantial benefit to them. The study will enroll over 10,000 women at 900 sites in the United States and Canada. Women recently diagnosed with estrogen receptor and/or progesterone receptor positive, Her2/neu negative breast cancer, which has not yet spread to the lymph nodes, are eligible for the study. Overexpression of the Her2/neu gene carries poorer prognosis for patients.

TAILORx will determine the most effective current approach to cancer treatment, with the fewest side effects, for women with early-stage breast cancer by using Oncotype DX™, a validated diagnostic test developed by Genomic Health, Inc., Redwood City, Calif., in collaboration with the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP), a network of cancer research professionals. TAILORx is the first trial to be launched as part of a new NCI program­­, the Program for the Assessment of Clinical Cancer Tests (PACCT), which seeks to individualize cancer treatment by using, evaluating and improving the latest diagnostic tests.

Research appearing online May 23rd in the Journal of Clinical Oncology provides strong evidence for the value of using Oncotype DX™ to help women with this form of breast cancer determine whether they will benefit by adding chemotherapy to hormonal therapy. This study, as well as several other similar studies in recent years, provided the basis for the launch of TAILORx.

CONTACT:
NCI Media Relations Branch
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Message posted by: Rashmi Nemade