Breast Cancer

*Note: Validation studies have already been performed on the 21-gene Oncotype DX Breast Cancer Assay for node-negative and node-positive, estrogen-receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer; for single gene reporting quantitative of ER (estrogen receptor), PR (progesterone receptor negative) and HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) genes, and for patients treated with Tamoxifen or an Aromatase Inhibitor. The 21-gene breast cancer test is currently commercially available. For detailed information about Oncotype DX, please call: (866) ONCOTYPE or visit www.oncotypedx.com

Oncotype DX 21-Gene Breast Cancer Assay

New Targets in Development: Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS): Development stage

Chemotherapy benefit with specific drugs/drug classes (e.g., taxanes, anthacyclines, angiogenesis inhibitors, PARP inhibitors): Development stage
U.S. Incidence of Breast Cancer 270,000/Year1
U.S. Incidence of DCIS 45,000/Year2
Global Incidence of Breast Cancer 1.15 Million/Year3

About Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a cancer that forms in the breast tissue, most often in the lobules (glands where milk is made) or ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple). Although most cases of breast cancer occur in women, it can also occur in men. Among women (in both the U.S. and worldwide), breast cancer is by far the most common type of cancer.

About the Oncotype DX Breast Cancer Test

Genomic Health´s Oncotype DX Breast Cancer Assay is a multigene expression test that physicians currently use to predict the likelihood of chemotherapy benefit and recurrence risk for patients with early-stage, estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer. The test has been shown to predict the magnitude of chemotherapy benefit for breast cancer patients treated with a variety of different chemotherapy regimens such as CMF, CAF, and regimens containing, taxane suggesting that the 21-gene test can predict the benefit, generally, from chemotherapy. Additionally, the Oncotype DX breast cancer test report also provides quantitative scores for ER, PR and HER2, which can help inform treatment planning

Ductal Carcinoma In Situ of the Breast (DCIS)

DCIS is an early form of breast cancer that is being diagnosed at an increasing rate, with an estimated 45,000 U.S. cases reported in 20092. Unlike invasive breast cancer, the tumor cells in DCIS are not found outside of the ducts within the breast. However, women who are diagnosed with DCIS have a small risk of recurrence of DCIS or of progression to invasive breast cancer.

Potential Oncotype DX Use in DCIS Ttreatment Planning

Current treatment for DCIS includes surgery, followed in many cases by radiation therapy and/or hormonal therapy. While the benefit of these DCIS treatments has been established, it is clear that not all patients benefit equally. Genomic Health completed a pilot study in 2008, confirming that RNA extraction and RT-PCR technology, the same technology used for the commercially available 21-gene Oncotype DX test, is viable for DCIS. The study also showed DCIS to exhibit a wide range of Recurrence Scores®, suggesting that Oncotype DX may be able to predict the likelihood of breast cancer recurrence for this patient population. Genomic Health is currently in the process of collecting tissue for large clinical studies in DCIS. A clinical assay for DCIS could result from validation using the current 21 genes or, alternatively, on the basis of new additional genes. For additional information, visit Genomic Health´s Pipeline page.

Chemotherapy Benefit With Specific Drugs/Drug Classes (e.g., taxanes, anthracyclines, angiogenesis inhibitors, PARP inhibitors)

Although it has been shown that selection of multi-drug therapy provides benefit for certain patients with early-stage breast cancer, it is not yet possible to identify which patients benefit the most from which drug combinations. As the number of treatment options increases, it has become even more important to understand which patients would benefit from which drugs. Studies are in progress to develop clinical tests to guide selection of specific drugs and/or drug classes, such as taxanes, anthracyclines, angiogenesis inhibitors, and PARP inhibitors.

Learn more about additional Genomic Health products in development:

Contact Genomic Health for more information about the Oncotype DX breast cancer test.

For more information about breast cancer, visit the National Cancer Institute´s Breast Cancer page or the non-profit www.breastcancer.org.
  1. Mattson Jack, CancerMPact August 2009 (2010 incidence).
  2. Company figure adapted from MattsonJack, CancerMpact, August 2009 (2010 incidence)
  3. Globocan 2002.
Test for Breast Cancer Diagnosis