CATCH study: Personalized therapy improves treatment of metastatic breast cancer
Comprehensive molecular profiling significantly improves the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, as researchers from the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), the Medical Faculty Heidelberg and the University Hospital Heidelberg (UKHD) show in the CATCH study. Data from over 400 patients show that biomarker-based, personalized therapies significantly prolong treatment outcomes and progression-free survival.
The study analyzed the entire tumor genome as well as the tumor RNA of 412 patients to identify individual biomarkers that would not be detectable with standard tests. Almost half of the patients then received a tailor-made therapy, which was recommended in an interdisciplinary tumor board. In one third of these patients, the treatment resulted in at least 50 percent longer progression-free survival compared to standard therapy.
Most of the therapies (86 percent) were off-label, with many of the drugs used now approved for breast cancer. The results, published in the International Journal of Cancer, confirm the feasibility and medical benefits of precision oncology in routine care and provide impetus for the further development of personalized cancer medicine.
Original Paper:
Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR
Gender Notice. The personal designations used in this text always refer equally to female, male and diverse persons. Double/triple naming and gendered designations are used for better readability. ected.
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