A groundbreaking clinical trial has revealed that a revolutionary genomic test, known as Prosigna, could spare millions of breast cancer patients from undergoing chemotherapy. The Optima trial, which observed over 4,400 women and men aged 40 or older with hormone-sensitive breast cancer, demonstrated that patients with a low Prosigna score could be effectively treated with hormone therapy alone.
Key Findings from the Optima Trial
Participants in the trial were divided based on their Prosigna scores, which measure gene activity levels. Those with low scores received only hormone therapy, while those with high scores were given both chemotherapy and hormone therapy. The results, five years after treatment, showed that 93.6 per cent of low-scoring patients treated with hormone therapy alone were alive and recurrence-free. This figure is comparable to the 94.8 per cent survival rate among patients who also received chemotherapy.
Implications for Breast Cancer Treatment
The findings suggest that many patients with hormone-sensitive breast cancer can avoid the harsh side effects of chemotherapy without compromising their survival chances. The Prosigna test, already available in some countries, could become a standard tool in treatment planning, personalising care and reducing unnecessary treatments. Further research is ongoing to expand the use of genomic testing in other cancer types.
