Scientists are continuing study of a new screening method that may forecast which newly diagnosed untreated breast cancer patients will have their cancer destroyed using a specific chemotherapy combination M. D. Anderson researchers say.

As part of the small study researchers created a test based on gene profiles and evaluated it in 21 new cases. The gene screen correctly predicted pathologic outcome for 15 of the 21 patients – a 71% accuracy rate – and was 75% correct to predict complete eradication of the cancer.