New Treatment Boosts Survival in Aggressive Breast Cancers

A new medical breakthrough offers renewed hope for patients battling aggressive forms of breast cancer. Researchers have developed an innovative treatment approach that significantly improves survival rates, marking a major advancement in oncology. This promising development could transform how these hard-to-treat cancers are managed, leading to better patient outcomes and extended lifespans. With continued research and clinical application, this new method may soon become a critical part of standard care for aggressive breast cancer cases.

Researchers from Cambridge have discovered a groundbreaking treatment strategy that significantly raises survival chances for individuals battling aggressive and inherited forms of breast cancer. This promising method was tested through a clinical trial where patients received a combination of chemotherapy and a specific targeted therapy before undergoing surgery. Impressively, every patient treated with this approach lived through the critical three-year period following surgery, a time typically marked by the highest risk of recurrence or death.

Published in Nature Communications, the findings present a potentially revolutionary step forward in the treatment of early-stage breast cancer in patients carrying mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. These particular gene mutations are known to make the disease more difficult to treat. Public awareness of such genetic risk factors increased in 2013 when actress Angelina Jolie, who carries the BRCA1 mutation, opted for a preventative double mastectomy.

Conventionally, patients undergo chemotherapy and sometimes immunotherapy to reduce the tumor before surgery, followed by additional treatment as needed. However, the new trial, called the Partner trial, took a different direction. It involved administering olaparib, a targeted cancer drug, alongside chemotherapy before surgery. This change in timing proved crucial and highlighted the value of optimizing treatment schedules for better outcomes.

One of the key insights from the study was that allowing a 48-hour interval between administering chemotherapy and olaparib resulted in better patient responses. This gap may give bone marrow time to recover from chemotherapy’s harsh effects, while tumor cells remain vulnerable to the targeted therapy. Olaparib, already approved and available through the NHS, was given in tablet form for 12 weeks before surgery, rather than the standard year-long post-surgical regimen.

The trial, led by Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the University of Cambridge, enrolled patients from 23 different NHS sites across the UK. Among the 39 participants who received the combined treatment, only one experienced a relapse, and all were alive three years post-surgery. In contrast, the control group of 45 patients who received only chemotherapy saw nine relapses and six deaths, with an overall survival rate of 88% in the same timeframe.

One of the trial participants, Jackie Van Bochoven from South Cambridgeshire, was diagnosed in early 2019 with a small but highly aggressive tumor. The diagnosis was a devastating shock, especially considering her family history with the disease. Today, six years later, she is cancer-free and enjoying life with her family, grateful for each day and the opportunity to continue living fully.

Beyond its impact on breast cancer treatment, the trial’s success could have wider implications for other cancers linked to BRCA gene mutations, including ovarian, prostate, and pancreatic cancers. It may also lead to cost savings for healthcare systems like the NHS, given the shorter treatment period for olaparib when used before surgery rather than over a full year afterward.

Professor Jean Abraham, the lead researcher on the trial and a consultant at Addenbrooke’s, expressed her enthusiasm over the remarkable results, particularly noting the rarity of a 100% survival rate in such a trial. She emphasized the importance of discovering new methods to effectively treat patients with these challenging forms of cancer.

Interestingly, the idea to experiment with the 48-hour gap between chemotherapy and olaparib arose from an informal conversation between Professor Abraham and Mark O’Connor, chief scientist in early oncology research at AstraZeneca. This collaboration showcases how spontaneous scientific exchanges can lead to meaningful clinical advancements.

O’Connor praised the study for underlining the importance of early detection and the impact that well-designed clinical trials can have. He highlighted how using bone marrow stem cell research informed the scheduling of treatment, allowing for more personalized and effective care. While larger trials are needed to validate the results, the potential for improved outcomes is incredibly promising.

This research also exemplifies the powerful synergy between the NHS, academic institutions, and industry partners. It represents the collaborative vision behind the future Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital, which will be built within the Cambridge Biomedical Campus—Europe’s leading hub for life sciences. The new facility aims to unite clinicians, scientists, and technology partners to develop cutting-edge diagnostics and treatments for cancer.

Michelle Mitchell, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, called the findings an exciting development, especially in terms of maximizing the use of existing treatments in smarter ways. She noted that while the approach is still in its early stages, it could ultimately provide patients with more precious time with their loved ones. Further research will be necessary to determine the safety and effectiveness of this strategy on a larger scale.

Looking ahead, Professor Abraham and her team are planning the next phase of the research, which will involve a broader participant base. They aim to confirm that this pre-surgery combination of chemotherapy and olaparib is not only more effective but also less toxic and more cost-efficient compared to current treatment standards.

The Partner trial was jointly sponsored by Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Cambridge. It received funding from Cancer Research UK and AstraZeneca, and was supported by the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre, and Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust.

This pioneering work sets the stage for what could become a transformative shift in how aggressive breast cancers are treated, offering both clinical hope and a potential model for future cancer care worldwide.

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Source: sciencedaily‍