Individualizing Breast Cancer Treatments

Though targeted therapies are beginning to be available for different molecular subtypes of breast cancer, focusing on the tumor is only part of the story. Understanding the patient's genetic makeup may be just as important in determining whether drugs will work or not. One example is the drug tamoxifen, which is used widely in breast cancer prevention and treatment.

Supported by the University Cancer Research Fund, a highly innovative trial is underway that uses an individual patient's genetic information to determine the most effective dose of tamoxifen by measuring the activity status of a gene responsible for converting tamoxifen to its active form.

Scientists leading this trial are using this information to adjust the tamoxifen dosage to see if changing the dose of tamoxifen can overcome having a less active form of the gene. Recruitment has been brisk, and patients have been incredibly supportive of the idea of individualizing therapy.

"Right now, I use the same drugs at the same doses for essentially all patients," explains Lisa Carey, MD, the study's co-principal investigator and medical director of the UNC Breast Center. "We want to find the right drug at the right dose for the right patient at the right time."

In addition to UNC, the trial is also being held at Rex HealthCare, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Moses Cone Regional Cancer Center, Carolinas Medical Center - Northeast, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, and Duke University Medical Center.

Local patients interested in participating should contact Donna Rowe, RN, at 919-966-4432 or donna_rowe@med.unc.edu.

Patients from outside the triangle area interested in participating should contact Madlyn Ferraro, RN, at 919-966-7359 or mferraro@med.unc.edu.