Unlocking the Power of Personalized Breast Cancer Treatment with Agendia’s MammaPrint® and BluePrint® Tests

Introduction

When it comes to breast cancer treatment, one size does not fit all. Each patient’s tumor has a unique genetic profile that can influence its behavior, aggressiveness, and response to various therapies. That’s where genomic testing comes in – by analyzing the specific mutations and gene expression patterns present in a patient’s tumor, healthcare providers can develop personalized treatment plans that are tailored to their individual needs. In this blog post, we’ll explore the impact of two groundbreaking genomic tests – Agendia’s MammaPrint® and BluePrint® – on breast cancer treatment decisions.

What are MammaPrint® and BluePrint®?

MammaPrint® and BluePrint® are two complementary genomic tests developed by Agendia, a leading provider of personalized breast cancer diagnostics. MammaPrint® is a 70-gene assay that analyzes the expression of specific genes within a patient’s tumor to assess their risk of recurrence and potential benefit from chemotherapy. BluePrint® is an 80-gene molecular subtyping test that classifies a patient’s tumor into one of four distinct subtypes – Luminal A, Luminal B, HER2-type, or Basal-type – each of which provide information to your health care provider to select the most appropriate targeted therapy.

How MammaPrint® Influences Chemotherapy Decisions

One of the most significant impacts of MammaPrint® is its ability to help healthcare providers and patients make more informed decisions about chemotherapy. Traditionally, the decision to pursue chemotherapy has been based on clinical factors such as tumor size, stage, and hormone receptor status. However, these factors alone do not always accurately predict whether a patient will benefit from chemotherapy or experience unnecessary side effects.

MammaPrint® addresses this challenge by providing a more personalized assessment of a patient’s risk of recurrence and potential chemotherapy benefit. The test categorizes patients into two risk groups – low risk and high risk – based on the expression of 70 key genes within their tumor. Patients in the low-risk group have a lower likelihood of recurrence and may be able to safely forgo chemotherapy in favor of less aggressive treatment options, such as hormone therapy. Conversely, patients in the high-risk group have a higher likelihood of recurrence and are more likely to benefit from chemotherapy in addition to other treatments.

The BluePrint® Advantage: Molecular Subtyping for Targeted Treatment

While MammaPrint® provides valuable information about a patient’s risk of recurrence and potential chemotherapy benefit, BluePrint® takes personalized treatment a step further by classifying tumors into distinct molecular subtypes. Each subtype is associated with different biological characteristics, treatment options, and outcomes, allowing healthcare providers to develop even more targeted treatment plans.

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By providing this level of molecular detail, BluePrint® enables healthcare providers to move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach and tailor treatment strategies to the unique biological profile of each patient’s tumor. This can help to maximize treatment effectiveness, minimize unnecessary side effects, and ultimately improve outcomes for patients.

Real-World Impact: Studies Demonstrate the Value of MammaPrint® and BluePrint®

The clinical utility of MammaPrint® and BluePrint® has been demonstrated in numerous studies and real-world clinical practice. For example, the MINDACT trial, a large-scale international study involving nearly 6,700 patients, found that MammaPrint® could identify a subset of clinically high-risk patients who could safely forgo chemotherapy based on their genomic risk profile. This finding has the potential to spare thousands of patients from unnecessary chemotherapy and its associated side effects.

Similarly, By identifying patients with specific molecular subtypes, BluePrint® can help healthcare providers select the most appropriate targeted therapies and avoid overtreatment or undertreatment.

Empowering Patients with Personalized Information

One of the most significant benefits of MammaPrint® and BluePrint® is the empowerment they provide to patients. By offering a more personalized assessment of their risk and treatment options, these tests help patients to make more informed decisions about their care in collaboration with their healthcare team. This can lead to increased patient satisfaction, reduced anxiety, and a greater sense of control over their treatment journey.

Conclusion

The impact of Agendia’s MammaPrint® and BluePrint® tests on breast cancer treatment decisions cannot be overstated. By providing a more personalized assessment of a patient’s risk and molecular subtype, these tests enable healthcare providers to develop targeted treatment plans that are tailored to the unique biological profile of each patient’s tumor. This can lead to improved outcomes, reduced side effects, and a greater sense of empowerment for patients as they navigate their treatment journey.

Learn Look Locate: Your Partner in Navigating Personalized Breast Cancer Care

At Learn Look Locate, we believe in the power of genomic testing to transform breast cancer care, and we are proud to partner with Agendia to bring this information to our community. Agendia’s MammaPrint® and BluePrint® tests are at the forefront of personalized breast cancer diagnostics, offering crucial insights into a patient’s risk of recurrence and potential benefit from various treatment options. To learn more about how these groundbreaking tests can impact your breast cancer journey, visit our “Your Tumor” page, where we delve into the science behind Agendia’s genomic testing and its role in precision medicine.

Our team of experts, including medical professionals and survivors, is dedicated to empowering you with the knowledge and support you need to advocate for yourself and access the most advanced, personalized care available. Whether you’re looking for information on MammaPrint® and BluePrint®, tips for communicating with your healthcare team, or simply a supportive community of fellow patients and survivors, Learn Look Locate is here for you every step of the way.

References:

1. MINDACT (Piccart, Lancet Oncol, 2021; Lopes Cardozo, JCO, 2022)
2. Knauer (Breast Cancer Res Treat 2010),
3. Whitworth, et al., Ann Surg Oncol (2022) 29:4141–4152
4. Whitworth, et al., JCO (2022), 5-Year ER+Basal
5. Whitworth, et al., JCO (2022) HER2
6. O’Shaughnessy et al., SABCS 2023
7. Groenendijk, F, et al. NPJ Breast Cancer. 2019;5:15.
8. Beitsch et al. Annals of surgical oncology 2017​
9. Whitworth, et al., Ann Surg Oncol (2022) 29:4141–4152