Simple blood test can predict which breast cancer treatment will work best, study finds
Exclusive: DNA test means patients could be offered most effective treatment first, boosting their chances of beating the disease
TL;DR
- A new DNA blood test analyzes circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) to predict breast cancer treatment response.
- The test was trialled on 167 patients with advanced breast cancer.
- Low ctDNA levels before and after the first treatment cycle were strongly associated with positive patient outcomes.
- The test has the potential to allow for faster, more personalized, and effective treatment decisions, avoiding ineffective therapies.
- The research, funded by multiple institutions, suggests potential applicability to early-stage breast cancers as well.