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05/26: BC Cancer Agency researchers uncover significant relapse behaviors in breast cancer subtypes
Vancouver, BC – BC Cancer Agency researchers recently published a study demonstrating how different types of breast cancer have the predisposition to spread to different parts of the body. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, looking at more than 3,700 early stage breast cancer patients, reveals that breast cancer subtypes impact survival outcomes and of the six subtypes studied each show a specific pattern of spread when a patient relapses.
“Our study is one of the largest to address this question and may help guide treatment of both early stage and advanced breast cancer, “says Dr. Hagen Kennecke, clinical oncologist and researcher with the BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority. “With this knowledge we can look at treatments targeted to specific breast cancer types to help reduce the chance of breast cancer spreading to different parts of the body.” Dr. Kennecke is the corresponding author of The metastatic behavior of breast cancer subtypes, now available in the May issue of Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Despite major advances in the treatment of breast cancer, 20 to 30 per cent of early breast cancers will recur and spread to new sites. There were significant differences between the six breast cancer subtypes in terms of where and when the cancers came back. Bone was found to be the predominant site of spread for Luminal A, Luminal B, and Luminal/HER2 breast cancer subtypes while Basal-like tumours were more likely to relapse in the lung. These research findings could influence targeted therapies and surveillance methods when recurrence is discovered.
Information from the Breast Cancer Outcomes Unit Database provided researchers at the BC Cancer Agency with a detailed picture of patients diagnosed with early stage breast cancer along with the timing of relapse and where in the body the relapse occurred.
Dr. Kennecke’s paper builds on another recent study of this group, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in April 2010, identifying which breast cancer patients are at an increased risk for recurrence. This study identified six subtypes of breast cancer to determine if they are linked with different rates of relapse. Results showed that patients with one particular subtype—the most common type of breast cancer—had the lowest rate of local or regional relapse.
The BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. The BC Cancer Foundation raises funds to support research and enhancements to patient care at the BC Cancer Agency. www.bccancer.bc.ca
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For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Allison Colina
Communications
BC Cancer Agency
Tel: 604.877.6000 ext. 6272
acolina@bccancer.bc.ca
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