Genomic Analysis of the NCCTG N9831 Adjuvant Trastuzumab Trial

Edith A. Perez, MD, Breast Cancer: Giant of Cancer Care; deputy director at large, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Serene M. and Frances C. Durling professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, discusses a genomic analysis of immune function genes and clinical outcome in the NCCTG (Alliance) N9831 adjuvant trastuzumab trial.

Clinical Pearls:

• Researchers must first better understand tumors in order to find new therapies for patients with breast cancer.
• Through mathematical modeling and patient follow up, researchers uncovered a 14-gene profile in the tumors of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer that appears to predict which patients will fare better with trastuzumab.
• This research is consistent with previous data that demonstrated that the immune system plays a significant role in cancer and patient outcomes.