Exact Sciences, a leading provider of cancer screening and diagnostic tests, announced the presentation of new data further reinforcing the utility of its Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score® test at the 19th St. Gallen International Breast Cancer Conference in Vienna, Austria.
A UK study1 explored the benefits of shifting the testing point to the pre-surgery setting by utilizing Oncotype DX on breast cancer core biopsy samples instead of surgical specimens. This multi-centre, prospective, randomized controlled trial (PreDX) included 341 patients eligible for Oncotype DX testing across 17 breast cancer units. The findings showed that testing on core biopsy led to a reduction in time to treatment outcome, including a clinically meaningful eight-day reduction in time from surgery to start of adjuvant treatment. In addition, testing before surgery improved the patient experience, with a significant reduction in anxiety and depression scores.
“The findings show that testing on core biopsy with Oncotype DX is reliable and highlight the potential advantages of this approach for patients and breast cancer services,” said Dr. Henry Cain, lead investigator and Consultant Surgeon at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. “Importantly, the time to initiate adjuvant therapy could be further optimized by reducing clinical appointments, positively impacting the overall patient experience.”
The test success rate on the core biopsy was 99.1%, confirming previous studies2,3 which showed that core biopsy samples produce Recurrence Score® results highly concordant with those from surgical specimens and that Recurrence Score result distributions remain consistent between core biopsy and surgical samples when assessed by patient age (<50 versus ≥50 years) and nodal involvement.
“As a breast cancer patient, knowing the test result before surgery would have given me peace of mind and confidence,” said Jennifer D. from Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. “I believe that early testing can significantly impact patients’ lives, aiding in their decision-making process and positively affecting not only their immediate family but also the relatives and friends who love and care for them.”
Separately, a Swedish economic analysis4, also presented at the congress, showed that delaying the adoption of the Oncotype DX test in clinical practice leads to decreased financial savings and negatively affects patient outcomes. Using a decision-analytic model to compare the Oncotype DX test with other available genomic tests and the traditional (non-genomic) approach, the analysis demonstrated that the Oncotype DX test leads to superior patient outcomes at reduced costs. The results contribute to the growing body of evidence and support the test’s integration into clinical practice. This valuable test aids in making more informed treatment decisions, enhancing the quality of care by customizing chemotherapy treatment to meet individual patient needs, and advancing towards a more efficient and patient-centered healthcare system.
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