Breast Cancer Study - the most revolutionary in the field A
recent study in Nature has analysed an enormous number of
samples of breast cancer tissue looking at genetics to classify
them into specific categories. The specific categories correlate
to prognosis and treatment responses. The impact of this study
will be felt in a only a few years time when patients are
provided with more accurate information about their breast
cancer prognosis and can be given treatments that are better
suited to their tumour. There are currently a large number of
different therapy options for breast cancer, the most well-known
being herceptin, but numerous others exist, such as T-DM 1,
Avastin, Taxol, and xeloda (more information about these drugs
can be found here). However, these drugs can have very different
success rates in different patients. This study demonstrates the
need for personalised medicine and also how aspects of it are
achievable. By grouping genotypes of tumours, treatment can be
personalised based on the chara