At the 9th European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC), Matti Aapro, MD, of Clinique de Genolier, Genolier, Switzerland, and Daniel Rea, MBBS, BSc, PhD, FRCP, of the University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom, UK, discuss the molecular diversity of breast cancer.
They explain that patients with breast cancer can be categorised using molecular tools to help guide clinical decision-making. Focusing on giving clinicians practical advice for the consultation room, they review the results of the Multidisciplinary Application of Genomics in Clinical Practice (MAGIC) survey, which evaluated patient attributes and clinician attitudes considered for decision-making with regard to adjuvant chemotherapy in early stage HER2-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer patients. It found current heterogeneity in decision-making, particular in intermediate-category patients that have a less obvious molecular signature.
The experts move on to discuss access and reimbursement to treatments that remain varied around Europe.
Finally, they reflect on the future directions of personalised medicine in breast cancer and emphasise the importance of recruiting patients into clinical trials whenever possible.
