Now, in a study published today in the journal Breast Cancer and treatment, said doctors from Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center have discovered a way to take the fear of post-cancer treatment with a new test that can determine with some certainty that are prone to develop a recurrance and remain cancer free.
At the same time, the discovery also opens the door to a new type of vaccine immunotherapy may help prevent breast cancer recurrence in women.
The discovery, say the researchers, relates to a certain type of immune system cells, found in the presence of breast cancer. By analyzing these cells, experts say they can accurately interpret the clues that paper a plan of how the body reacts to the patient after cancer treatment is over.
"We know that the body triggers an immune response when it detects cancer and immune system cells are usually present in the tumor site," says lead investigator, Masoud Manjil, DVM, PhD. Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the VCU Massey.
However, through the analysis of these immune cells in a particular way, Manjil says they can determine the set "" biological response to the presence of cancer, "that helps predict who will suffer a relapse and it will not .
Currently, the two tests used to predict breast cancer recurrence panel Oncotype DX and MammaPrint panel. Despite that work, both focus primarily on genes that are expressed by cancer cells in real tumor.
The new test, says Manjil different look instead of the overall response of the immune system in the presence of cancer - and this, he says, is what gives the best indication whether the tumor recurs.
In addition, experts say opens the door to a new type of immunostimulant therapy could well reduce the risk of recurrence even in women at risk.
"Our findings could lead to clinical trials to test whether the use of immunotherapy prior conventional therapies in breast cancer with a high risk of relapse systems may prime the immune patients, much like a vaccine to prevent the risk of relapse, "says Manjil.
Study details
The study included 17 women with breast cancer, all treated at VCU Massey Cancer Center. At the time of treatment, tissue samples collected and stored in the center for seven years.
After a follow-up of all 17 patients, eight experienced cancer recurrence within five years, while nine have been cancer free for seven years.
A closer examination of tissue samples from patients who developed recurrence - compared to those without - has revealed a specific configuration of the immune system marker, could predict recurrence with accuracy over 85%.
Researchers say the next step is the study of tissue samples from a large patient population to help validate and confirm the importance of biomarkers of the immune system. We also intend to continue to test the accuracy of biomarkers with a new long-term study to see if you can not predict which will remain cancer free for a long period of time.
Until the accuracy of the test is confirmed, continue to the American Cancer Society to advise all women to be vigilant about screening for breast cancer, including mammograms reular, regular breast self-examination
and cancer survivors, regular checkups with your doctor.
Colette Bouchez is an award winning medical journalist and author of 10 books on women's health, including the Region V: Guide to women's health, intimate.
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