Latest news with #KristianHelin
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Transformational' new breast cancer drug could halt the growth of tumours
A new drug has been shown to halt the growth of certain breast cancer tumours, potentially delaying the need for chemotherapy, according to a new study. The Serena-6 trial found that camizestrant is effective in stopping cancer cells from using hormones to grow. One professor described the drug as representing "a pivotal moment in breast cancer care". Scientists said the trial marked the first global study demonstrating that early detection of cancer resistance through blood tests can significantly benefit patients. The study focused on patients with hormone-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, which accounts for approximately 70 per cent of all cases. The results indicated that patients treated with camizestrant experienced a 56 per cent reduction in cancer progression compared to those receiving standard therapies. Doctors used a blood test to identify changes in the cancer's DNA, which signal the potential failure of current treatments. Upon detecting these signs, some patients were administered camizestrant, while others continued with their standard treatment. Those on camizestrant had their cancer stay the same and not get worse for much longer, 16 months on average, compared with about nine months for the others. The drug was safe for most patients but 1 per cent stopped taking it because of side effects. More than 3,000 patients from 23 countries took part in the study, which was funded by AstraZeneca and co-led by researchers at The Institute of Cancer Research in London. Co-principal investigator Professor Nick Turner, group leader in molecular oncology at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said the drug is 'a pivotal moment in breast cancer care'. Professor Kristian Helin, chief executive of The Institute of Cancer Research said: 'The results of the Serena-6 trial represent more than a clinical milestone, they represent a transformational shift in how we approach precision medicine.' About 55,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK every year and 11,500 will die from the disease, The Institute of Cancer Research said. The Serena-6 trial results were to be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in Chicago on Sunday. Dr Catherine Elliott, director of research at Cancer Research UK, said: 'This study is a clear example of how blood tests are starting to transform cancer treatment. 'By tracking tiny traces of tumour DNA in the blood, researchers were able to spot early signs of treatment resistance and switch therapies before cancer had a chance to grow. 'It shows how circulating tumour DNA, or ctDNA, could help doctors make smarter, more timely treatment decisions. 'This approach could become an important part of how we personalise care for people with advanced breast cancer.'
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Health
- Irish Examiner
New drug can help stop certain breast cancer tumours early, trial shows
A new drug can help stop certain breast cancer tumours before they grow, experts say. A trial called Serena-6 shows that camizestrant stops cancer cells from using hormones to grow, which helps patients stay well longer and delays the need for chemotherapy. It is the first worldwide study to show that using blood tests to find early signs of cancer resistance to treatment helps patients, scientists say. The study looked at patients who had hormone-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, which is about 70% of cases. The results of the Serena-6 trial represent more than a clinical milestone, they represent a transformational shift in how we approach precision medicine Results showed patients given camizestrant reduced their chances of cancer progression by 56%, compared with just standard therapies. Doctors used a simple blood test to spot changes in the cancer's DNA that show whether current treatments might soon stop working. When they found these signs, some patients were given camizestrant, while others stayed on their usual treatment. Those on camizestrant had their cancer stay the same and not get worse for much longer, 16 months on average, compared with about nine months for the others. The drug was safe for most patients but 1% stopped taking it because of side effects. More than 3,000 patients from 23 countries took part in the study, which was funded by AstraZeneca and co-led by researchers at The Institute of Cancer Research in London. This study is a clear example of how blood tests are starting to transform cancer treatment Co-principal investigator Professor Nick Turner, group leader in molecular oncology at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said the drug is 'a pivotal moment in breast cancer care'. Professor Kristian Helin, chief executive of The Institute of Cancer Research said: 'The results of the Serena-6 trial represent more than a clinical milestone, they represent a transformational shift in how we approach precision medicine.' The Serena-6 trial results were to be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in Chicago on Sunday. Dr Catherine Elliott, director of research at Cancer Research UK, said: 'This study is a clear example of how blood tests are starting to transform cancer treatment. 'By tracking tiny traces of tumour DNA in the blood, researchers were able to spot early signs of treatment resistance and switch therapies before cancer had a chance to grow. 'It shows how circulating tumour DNA, or ctDNA, could help doctors make smarter, more timely treatment decisions. 'This approach could become an important part of how we personalise care for people with advanced breast cancer.'
Leader Live
3 days ago
- Health
- Leader Live
New drug can help stop certain breast cancer tumours early, trial shows
A trial called Serena-6 shows that camizestrant stops cancer cells from using hormones to grow, which helps patients stay well longer and delays the need for chemotherapy. It is the first worldwide study to show that using blood tests to find early signs of cancer resistance to treatment helps patients, scientists say. The study looked at patients who had hormone-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, which is about 70% of cases. Results showed patients given camizestrant reduced their chances of cancer progression by 56%, compared with just standard therapies. Doctors used a simple blood test to spot changes in the cancer's DNA that show whether current treatments might soon stop working. When they found these signs, some patients were given camizestrant, while others stayed on their usual treatment. Those on camizestrant had their cancer stay the same and not get worse for much longer, 16 months on average, compared with about nine months for the others. The drug was safe for most patients but 1% stopped taking it because of side effects. More than 3,000 patients from 23 countries took part in the study, which was funded by AstraZeneca and co-led by researchers at The Institute of Cancer Research in London. Co-principal investigator Professor Nick Turner, group leader in molecular oncology at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said the drug is 'a pivotal moment in breast cancer care'. Professor Kristian Helin, chief executive of The Institute of Cancer Research said: 'The results of the Serena-6 trial represent more than a clinical milestone, they represent a transformational shift in how we approach precision medicine.' About 55,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK every year and 11,500 will die from the disease, The Institute of Cancer Research said. The Serena-6 trial results were to be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in Chicago on Sunday. Dr Catherine Elliott, director of research at Cancer Research UK, said: 'This study is a clear example of how blood tests are starting to transform cancer treatment. 'By tracking tiny traces of tumour DNA in the blood, researchers were able to spot early signs of treatment resistance and switch therapies before cancer had a chance to grow. 'It shows how circulating tumour DNA, or ctDNA, could help doctors make smarter, more timely treatment decisions. 'This approach could become an important part of how we personalise care for people with advanced breast cancer.'
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Three-drug treatment combo ‘holds back aggressive breast cancer for a year'
A NEW triple threat drug combination could hold aggressive breast cancer at bay for an extra year, a trial found. Adding the medicine inavolisib to an already used pair of drugs delayed the need for chemotherapy by almost two years. 1 It prevented tumours from growing for an average of 17 months, compared to seven months in patients using the standard drug pairing palbociclib and fulvestrant. An estimated 1,000 British women per year could benefit. The combo works for women with a specific breast cancer type called HR+ HER2- with a PIK3CA mutation, which accounts for about three in 10 cases. Professor Kristian Helin, chief of The Institute of Cancer Research in London, said: 'We need to tackle treatment resistance head-on to continue improving survival rates. 'This triple combination approach effectively shuts down cancer's escape routes, giving people with metastatic breast cancer the opportunity to live well for longer.' The trial included 325 patients with aggressive and advanced breast cancer from 28 countries. Cancers shrank in two thirds of people receiving the triple drug combination, compared to 28 per cent of those on standard treatment. New go-to option for docs Study author Professor Nicholas Turner, of the Royal Marsden NHS hospital in London, said: 'This therapy not only helped patients live longer but it more than doubled the time before their cancer progressed or worsened. 'It also gave them more time before needing chemotherapy which is something that patients really fear and want to delay for as long as possible.' 'These results give us confidence that this treatment could become the new go-to option.' The study was presented at the conference of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. What are the signs of breast cancer? BREAST cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK. The majority of women who get it are over 50, but younger women and, in rare cases, men can also get breast cancer. If it's treated early enough, breast cancer can be prevented from spreading to other parts of the body. Breast cancer can have a number of symptoms, but the first noticeable symptom is usually a lump or area of thickened breast tissue. Most breast lumps aren't cancerous, but it's always best to have them checked by your doctor. You should also speak to your GP if you notice any of the following: a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts discharge from either of your nipples (which may be streaked with blood) a lump or swelling in either of your armpits dimpling on the skin of your breasts a rash on or around your nipple a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast Source: NHS
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Three-drug treatment combo ‘holds back aggressive breast cancer for a year'
The treatment could benefit thousands of British women Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A NEW triple threat drug combination could hold aggressive breast cancer at bay for an extra year, a trial found. Adding the medicine inavolisib to an already used pair of drugs delayed the need for chemotherapy by almost two years. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Breast cancer gets harder to treat as cells become resistant to drugs (stock image) Credit: Getty It prevented tumours from growing for an average of 17 months, compared to seven months in patients using the standard drug pairing palbociclib and fulvestrant. An estimated 1,000 British women per year could benefit. The combo works for women with a specific breast cancer type called HR+ HER2- with a PIK3CA mutation, which accounts for about three in 10 cases. Professor Kristian Helin, chief of The Institute of Cancer Research in London, said: 'We need to tackle treatment resistance head-on to continue improving survival rates. 'This triple combination approach effectively shuts down cancer's escape routes, giving people with metastatic breast cancer the opportunity to live well for longer.' The trial included 325 patients with aggressive and advanced breast cancer from 28 countries. Cancers shrank in two thirds of people receiving the triple drug combination, compared to 28 per cent of those on standard treatment. New go-to option for docs Study author Professor Nicholas Turner, of the Royal Marsden NHS hospital in London, said: 'This therapy not only helped patients live longer but it more than doubled the time before their cancer progressed or worsened. 'It also gave them more time before needing chemotherapy which is something that patients really fear and want to delay for as long as possible.' 'These results give us confidence that this treatment could become the new go-to option.' The study was presented at the conference of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Breast cancer symptoms you should NEVER ignore, with Dr Philippa Kaye
