Genomic Health Study Shows Breast Cancers in Men Display Very Similar Gene Signatures to Thos...(ecurrence Score(R) was 53.6 percent in m...),Health

Despite the similarities between the two patient groups, there were also some differences. For example, male breast cancer patients had higher mean expression of the hormone receptor genes, likely due to the different hormonal context of men and women. In addition, male breast cancer patients were older, on average, and were less likely than women to have the lobular form of breast cancer.

"I was quite surprised when my doctor told me I had breast cancer and was not looking forward to the multiple rounds of chemotherapy that he originally recommended," said Mike Nelsen, a breast cancer patient from Baltimore. "After my Oncotype DX test results came back and I discussed them with my oncologist, I felt confident that I could avoid chemotherapy and its side effects without increasing the risk of my cancer returning."

Multiple Studies Highlight Application of Personalized Medicine in Oncology Setting

Additionally, Genomic Health, in partnership with investigators from several academic institutions, will present a separate study at ASCO evaluating the genotypic features of triple-negative breast cancer compared with hormone receptor-positive disease, as well as the genotypic features associated with recurrence. The study, "Genotypic characterization of phenotypically defined triple-negative breast cancer" (Abstract #500), demonstrated that there were significant differences in gene expression between the triple negative and hormone receptor positive groups, including genes for which targeted agents are currently being evaluated in the clinical environment. Full results will be discussed in an oral presentation on Sunday, May 31 (4:30 p.m. ET).