New Breast Cancer Test approved by FDA/Questions

Vicki · 02-07-2007, 09:41 AM

Hi,

I just saw on NBC's "Today" show, a segment with Dr. Nancy Snyderman, "Today's" chief medical correspondent, that there's a new breast cancer test that came out of Europe and will be released by the FDA here in the United States in the next few months. It is designed to test and score 70 different genes as a "road map for treatment." (I recall a Dana Farber individual was interviewed in the segment.)

This is different from the Oncotype DX test, now currently available to ER+ women.

Here are my questions for those of you who know more:

1. Will ER- and Her2+++ women benefit from this test?
2. Can women who have been out of treatment for several years now ask for this test post-treatment (or is it only for newly-diagnosed women)?
3. Does anyone know how the test is conducted (by blood test, tumor sample, etc.).

Thanks, everyone.

Vicki Z

mslinda · 02-07-2007, 10:05 AM

I also saw this on the NBC news. I tried to find additional info on it but was unable to locate anything detailed. I go in March to see my onc. I am going to ask her about this. The only thing I could see was that they said that there was a better percentage of telling you you wouldn't have a recurrance, but the percentage was low on determining if you would have a recurrance. If I am not correct in this, please someone correct me.

Thanks.
Linda

Becky · 02-07-2007, 10:56 AM

Hi Vicki

I hope you're doing good. I believe that they need fresh tissue to perform the test but the test seems fairly accurate.

Therefore, I think it is for the newly diagnosed. I think the benefit will be there for Stage 1 people or Stage 2A but they are 2A because of the size of the tumore (2cm or more) but have negative nodes. Some of these women might rely on masectomy or lumpectomy with radiation as their only means of treatment when it might not be enough. The test also only gives chance of recurrence without inferring how that result might change with adjuvant therapies (ie: chemo, targeted therapies, hormone therapies etc).

Miss you

Vicki · 02-07-2007, 01:07 PM

Hi Wise Women,

Glad to have some feedback on this. So, it sounds like it's not relevant for me since I've been out of treatment for over two years. Yea! This will be a very good tool for newly-diagnosed women as you mentioned, Becky, and will help them in their personal treatment choices.

Becky, how's my favorite comedienne chemo chemist? You are insightful and funny all in one wonderful package. I miss you, too.

It's warm here in California. We'll have none of that minus-degree weather. So, take a business trip when you can.

Love to each and every one of you on this board,

Vicki Z

StephN · 02-07-2007, 01:20 PM

Hi Vicki -
I noticed this on AOL last night:
http://news.aol.com/topnews/articles...990012?cid=474

Hope this link works. It is a short article on the MAMM PRINT test, that I think is what you saw on TV.

The HORRIBLE stat that they quote is that 178,000 US women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year!!! Extrapolate that at least 1/4 will be HER2 positive - we sure have a LOT of company. This test is for early stagers as Becky mentioned.

Keep warm! I think Martinique sounds good for a change!

rinaina · 02-07-2007, 02:32 PM

Ok, so for early stagers but what about those who are er/pr negative? And how recently diagnosed do you have to be? Not understanding about a new tissue sample. How is that done?

carlsoj · 02-07-2007, 04:24 PM

If you go to http://www.breastcancer.org/research..._20070206.html
, they have an copy of the Reuter's News article about the MammaPrint test. It also has a "plain language" explanation of the information.

Unfortunately, the last paragraph states:
"MammaPrint CAN'T be used with women who have already been treated for early breast cancer. MammaPrint must be performed on a fresh breast cancer biopsy specimen."

so...not for us. but still good news for those who will be diagnosed in the future, and who knows, it may lead to new research that can benefit us.

carlsoj