{"id":338092,"date":"2026-03-19T22:01:29","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T22:01:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/338092\/"},"modified":"2026-03-19T22:01:29","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T22:01:29","slug":"blood-test-may-help-guide-breast-cancer-treatment-decisions-in-women-70-and-older","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/338092\/","title":{"rendered":"Blood Test May Help Guide Breast Cancer Treatment Decisions in Women 70 and Older"},"content":{"rendered":"

A blood-based test measuring circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)<\/a> may help clinicians determine which older women with a common form of breast cancer can safely forgo surgery and radiation, according to a new study published in Clinical Cancer Research<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Scientists at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine analyzed blood samples from women age 70 and over with estrogen receptor\u2013positive<\/a> breast cancer who were considering endocrine therapy\u2014also known as hormone-blocking therapy\u2014as their primary treatment.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are learning that not every patient needs the same treatment based simply on their diagnosis, and instead, care should be right-sized for each individual,\u201d says Priscilla F. McAuliffe<\/a>, MD, PhD, breast surgical oncologist at UPMC Hillman and associate professor of surgery at Pitt\u2019s School of Medicine, in a release.<\/p>\n

How ctDNA Testing Was Applied<\/p>\n

Researchers examined whether the presence or absence of ctDNA\u2014small fragments of genetic material shed by cancer cells into the bloodstream\u2014could predict which patients were unlikely to respond to endocrine therapy alone.<\/p>\n

Patients whose ctDNA test returned negative, either at the start of treatment or after beginning endocrine therapy, were more likely to experience stable disease or tumor shrinkage. According to researchers, this suggests that surgery and radiation\u2014both of which can lead to side effects including scarring, chronic swelling, infection, and nerve damage\u2014would likely not improve outcomes for these patients.<\/p>\n

Conversely, patients whose ctDNA remained positive after receiving endocrine therapy were more likely to experience tumor growth, indicating that surgery or additional interventions may still be necessary to achieve tumor control.<\/p>\n

A Decentralized, Patient-Centered Trial Design<\/p>\n

Because ctDNA can be measured through a standard blood draw<\/a>, the study was designed with patient convenience in mind. Blood samples were frequently collected from patients\u2019 homes, reducing the burden of travel and enabling researchers to enroll participants from multiple UPMC Hillman network oncology sites across the region\u2014not only from the main UPMC Hillman location in Shadyside.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe worked really hard to include patients outside the main academic center, including UPMC Passavant Cranberry, UPMC Jameson, and UPMC St. Margaret,\u201d says lead author Neil Carleton<\/a>, MD, PhD, a post-doctoral fellow at Pitt, in a release. \u201cMaking care more convenient for patients, including access to clinical trials, is a priority at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.\u201d<\/p>\n

The study also incorporated feedback from both patients and their caregivers\u2014a population frequently excluded from clinical trials. More than 80% of patients surveyed reported that ctDNA test results could help them feel more informed about their treatment decisions, particularly during the first six to 12 months of care. Caregivers reported that supporting loved ones through breast cancer treatment often required prioritizing caregiving responsibilities over work and other activities.<\/p>\n

Based on those findings, researchers suggest that home-based monitoring options could be an important consideration\u2014especially for caregivers managing competing responsibilities. The authors also emphasized the importance of patient education and shared decision-making throughout the treatment process.<\/p>\n

Study Limitations and Next Steps<\/p>\n

Researchers caution that the study was small, involving fewer than 50 patients, and that the findings are not yet applicable to standard clinical practice. Larger studies are needed before ctDNA monitoring could be used routinely to guide surgical de-escalation decisions in this patient population.<\/p>\n

The study was funded by the Hillman Cancer Center Developmental Pilot Program, the Shear Family Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health.<\/p>\n

ID\u00a0303689121<\/a>\u00a0\u00a9\u00a0Konstantin Iuganov<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Dreamstime.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Related Links:<\/p>\n

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