Multiple Studies Presented at San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium Reinforce Clinical Utility of Onco...(ion resulting in less chemotherapy ...),Health

use, decreased patient anxiety and increased patient confidence

regarding their treatment decision.

* On Friday, December 14 researchers from the University of Pittsburgh

Cancer Institute reported that use of the Oncotype DX assay in patients

with estrogen receptor-positive, node-negative early breast cancer over

three years significantly decreased the recommendation for adjuvant

chemotherapy for patients with low Recurrence Score results, indicating

that the assay is being used as intended among oncologists in an

academic breast cancer program.

* In a separate study also presented on Friday, December 14, researchers

at the University of Pennsylvania evaluated changing practice patterns

and frequency of chemotherapy use among node-negative, hormone

receptor-positive patients treated in 2003 before the availability of

Oncotype DX compared to those treated in 2005 and 2006 after the test

was used. The recommendation and use of adjuvant chemotherapy declined

significantly from 2003, when it was recommended to 55 percent of

patients, to 25 percent in 2005 after physicians started using Oncotype

DX.

"Over the past four years, Oncotype DX has continued to demonstrate consistent results across multiple clinical trials, from validation to clinical practice impact," said Steven Shak, M.D., chief medical officer of Genomic Health. "With this latest research, in addition to updated ASCO Guidelines recommending Oncotype DX, it is clear the test is becoming standard practice for physicians and women making important breast cancer treatment decisions."

Reporting of Quantitative Estrogen Receptor and Progesterone Expression

with Oncotype DX

* A study presented by Kaiser Permanente researchers on Saturday,

December 15 found estrogen receptor (ER)
'/>"/>