Contemporary Molecular Diagnostics and Breast Cancer

Contemporary Molecular Diagnostics and Breast Cancer   
Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score® Improves Patient Care 

Tuesday, May 16, 2023 
3 - 4 p.m. Eastern; 2 - 3 p.m. Central; noon - 1 p.m. Pacific 

For over a decade, health systems and their physicians have had access to a molecular test to aid in determining the need for systemic adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with early-stage, estrogen receptor positive (ER+), HER2-, lymph node-negative breast cancer. This type of invasive ductal carcinoma is the most common type of breast cancer and when caught early, there are an ever-growing number of options for treatment.   

There is an increasing body of evidence of the advantages of one such test: Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score for node-negative cancer, and recently for node-positive, too.  

Stony Brook Cancer Center in New York, like other health systems, has seen the benefits directly affect its overall patient care performance. Dr. Stopeck’s practice has seen the benefits of the diagnostic tool firsthand. In the past year, the expansion of the indication to node-positive cases has brought about the expansion of the benefits to that population. Such benefits include a higher number of patients receiving the right treatment at the right time, and thus improved patient outcomes with less use of emergency services and inpatient services associated with morbidity of chemotherapy. With more patients being spared from chemotherapy, there is a reduction in neutropenic fever, cardiac dysfunction, and others. The freed-up capacity of emergency and in-patient services has been effectively redeployed for patients in need of that care and thus rendering the service more efficient.  

Similarly, because there is a more effective way to identify and target the patients who will actually derive a benefit from chemotherapy, the personnel in charge of administering it have been able to focus on those patients. The use of resources as well as space considerations has been able to achieve higher efficiencies.   

Attendees Will Learn: 

• About the evolution of molecular testing-based breast cancer treatment, precision oncology and the evolution of guideline-based testing. 
• How to improve outcomes and provide a lower incidence of negative side effects. 
• To increase operational efficiencies, reduce gaps in care and reallocate work towards value-adding activities. 

Speakers: 
 
Alison Stopeck, MD 
Chief, Division of Hematology/Oncology and Associate Director of Clinical and Translational Research 
Stony Brook Cancer Center 
Stony Brook, N.Y. 

Christy Russell, MD 
VP, US. Medical Affairs  
Exact Sciences 
Redwood City, Calif.