| According to the June 18th report from the online | | | | chemotherapy) based on criteria specific to each |
| cancer journal, The Annals of Oncology, the | | | | modality. We expect the refined algorithm to |
| international panel of experts that assembled for | | | | change clinical practice because it clarifies the |
| the 11th St. Gallen Health Conference in March, | | | | indications for each treatment modality available |
| proposed a potentially radically different approach | | | | today." |
| when it comes to deciding upon the best | | | | The panel's report emphasizes the importance of |
| treatment options for early breast cancer. | | | | identifying which type of breast cancer a patient |
| While the panel still agrees that no case of breast | | | | has and which treatment, or combination of |
| cancer is exactly the same and each patient | | | | treatments, are most likely to be successful. |
| should received personalized care, it has put | | | | They recommend the increased use of genetic |
| forward a new, more standardized approach | | | | profiling using microarrays as a means for |
| when it comes to assessing disease risks and | | | | improved identification, especially for the forms |
| appropriate treatment strategies. | | | | that have been more difficult to analyze. |
| They go on to suggest that these vital clinical | | | | Additionally, the panel discussed the importance of |
| systems must address three distinct questions: "(i) | | | | conducting extensive clinical trials because they |
| what justifies the use of endocrine therapy, (ii) | | | | can "provide essential information on the safety |
| what justifies the use of anti-HER2 therapy, and | | | | and efficacy of treatments." |
| (iii) what justifies the use of chemotherapy." This | | | | Yet, while their discussion highlights the importance |
| is a change from the traditional method of | | | | of standardization from medical professionals, the |
| identifying a single-risk category and then a | | | | panel knows who will make the final call. Professor |
| subsequent and separate therapy | | | | Alan Coates of the University of Sydney |
| recommendation. | | | | expressed how the patients must be at the |
| Furthermore, the panel gave a new algorithm for | | | | center of all treatment decisions saying, "We |
| clinicians to use when they are attempting to | | | | recognize the importance of quality of life, |
| decide what will be the most effective treatment | | | | supportive care and patient preference in the |
| approach for their patient. As one of the | | | | treatment decision-making process." |
| members, Professor Richard Gelber of Harvard | | | | More specific treatment recommendations and |
| University said, "We have identified 'thresholds for | | | | further details can be seen in the original Annals of |
| indication' of each type of systemic treatment | | | | Oncology doi: 10. |
| modality (endocrine therapy, anti-HER2 therapy, | | | | |