Gene Profiling Predicts Resistance to Breast Cancer Drug Herceptin
The wonder drug Herceptin is the primary treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer. The 25 -30 % of breast cancer patients with this class of tumor do not all respond to Herceptin.
However, better treatment options can be determined if breast cancer patients can be evaluated of how they would respond to Herceptin.
Research teams from Harvard and Yale Universities have been able to identify certain basal markers, growth factors and growth factor receptors in breast cancer patients that are expressed in the genes of Herceptin-resistant breast cancer patients.
The findings have been used by the team in the utilization of gene chips in profiling breast cancer tumors before treatment administration.
According to the study’s lead author, Lyndsay Harris, M.D., associate professor and Director of the Breast Cancer Disease Unit at Yale University Medical Center:
“Herceptin has revolutionized the care of HER2-positive breast cancer for many patients, but unfortunately, not for some. This work demonstrates that digging deeper into the molecular subtypes of these tumors helps us understand why some tumors are resistant and may point to ways to remedy that.”
Once further validated, these findings can be used in order administer additional therapy in those found Herceptin-resistant to boost their sensitivity to Herceptin.
Study results have been reported in the February 15 issue of Clinical Cancer Research.
Find more details from the full report.
Tags: gene-profiling, HER-2-positive-breast-cancer, HerceptinRelated Stories
POSTED IN: on anti-cancer ingredients, on breast cancer, on cancer diagnostics
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