Genomic testing in breast cancer

for-patients

Genomic testing in breast cancer

December 9, 2020

Written By:

Amanda Stroiney, Clinical Operations Manager, Outcomes4Me

A new Outcomes4Me study presented at the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium reveals that breast cancer patients aren’t offered genomic testing despite its impact on treatment

Earlier today, Outcomes4Me Inc. presented the results of a genomics awareness study conducted in partnership with Foundation Medicine Inc. at the prestigious 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS). SABCS is the premier conference for presenting the latest breast cancer data to an international audience of academic and private physicians and researchers. The study, which was conducted over a two month period, with more than 200 breast cancer patients, demonstrated the discrepancy between patients’ willingness to get genomic testing and the extent of which genomic testing is being offered to patients.

Text in image reads: "What is genomic testing? Genomic testing analyzes changes in the DNA specifically within a person's tumor."

"Why should breast cancer patients care about genomic testing? Having genomic testing done provides you with new access to targeted therapies that are specific to your tumor and which can help treat advanced breast cancer."

Having genomic testing done provides breast cancer patients with new access to targeted therapies that are specific to the characteristics of their tumor. That information can help treat advanced breast cancer in a more targeted manner and offers access to certain new drugs. One example is that having a NTRK fusion in the tumor gives a patient access to larotrectinib and entrectinib. Advanced breast cancer patients that don’t get genomic testing can’t access any of the targeted treatments available for a tumor mutation, such as Piqray (alpelisib) for PIK3CA mutations in HR+HER2- breast cancer.

Image of survey results reads:
"Only 28% of advanced breast cancer patients got genomic testing."
"50% of advanced breast cancer patients that weren't tested were somewhat aware or familiar with genomic testing."
"Medicare reimburses 100% of the fees associated with the test for all advanced breast cancer patients"

“Genomic testing allows doctors to learn more about a tumor’s individual characteristics and ultimately provide the patient with more personalized treatment options.” said Osama Rahma, M.D., Co-Founder and Chief Medical Advisor of Outcomes4Me. “Test results can also expand patient access and eligibility for new and innovative drug treatments, as well as clinical trials, and have been proven to help prolong and save a patient’s life.”

Breast cancer patients may become eligible for a long list of new drug treatments including but not limited to:

PIQRAY (ALPELISIB)
TECENTRIQ (ATEZOLIZUMAB)
VITRAKVI (LAROTRECTINIB) AND ROZLYTREK (ENTRECTINIB)
KEYTRUDA (PEMBROLIZUMAB)

These new and innovative targeted drug treatments can help save a patient’s life. For example, studies have shown that adding Piqray to fulvestrant doubled time to progression. It is important that all patients get tested today and speak to their doctor about their options with genomic testing.

To learn more about genomic testing and to get information about your treatment options download the Outcomes4Me app, available now on Android and iOS.