N E W S R E L E A S E
For Information Contact: Barbara Sullivan, Sullivan & Associates 714/374–6174, [email protected]bioTheranostics’ Breast Cancer Index (BCI) Molecular Test Predicts Late Distant Recurrence in Estrogen Receptor-Positive, Lymph Node-Negative Breast Cancer The TransATAC Comparative Study Presented at San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium Showed that BCI Outperformed Oncotype Dx and IHC4 in Prediction of Late Distant Recurrence FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…Dec. 5, 2012…SAN ANTONIO…A major head-to-head study
comparing bioTheranostics’ Breast Cancer Indexsm (BCI) to the Oncotype Dx Breast Cancer
Assay and IHC4 for breast cancer prognosis showed that BCI predicted late distant recurrence
of estrogen receptor–positive, lymph node-negative breast cancer, while Oncotype DX and
IHC4 did not. The findings were presented today at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
as an oral presentation in the general session.
In the study, researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School and
London-based Queen Mary University and Royal Marsden Hospital analyzed tumor samples
previously collected in the translational arm of the Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination
(TransATAC) study. The samples provided by The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), London,
were tested using BCI, a biomarker that improves risk stratification in patients with estrogen
receptor-positive, lymph-node negative breast cancer. Comparative prognostic performance was
evaluated in 665 TransATAC patients using BCI, Oncotype Dx, and IHC4; the prognostic value
of each signature beyond standard clinical variables (tumor grade, size, patient age, etc.) was
assessed, including prognostic evaluations for early and late distant recurrence.
Results showed that BCI was the only significant prognostic factor beyond standard clinical
variables for late distant recurrence (5-10 years) (p=0.005), compared with Oncotype (p=0.5) and
IHC4 (p=0.2). Similar comparative results of BCI, Oncotype DX, and IHC4 for late distant
recurrence were observed for the study’s other clinical endpoints, including breast cancer death
and overall survival. For early distant recurrence (0-5 years), and overall cumulative risk (0-10
years), all three tests had significant prognostic performance, and each provided prognostic
information beyond standard clinical variables.
bioTheranostics’ Breast Cancer Index (BCI) Molecular Test Predicts Late Distant Recurrence in Estrogen Receptor-Positive, Lymph Node-Negative Breast Cancer, Page 2
According to lead investigator Dr. Dennis C. Sgroi, director of breast pathology at
Massachusetts General Hospital, the majority of breast cancer patients are estrogen receptor
positive, and the risk of late distant recurrence remains a substantial concern. “A 10- to 15-year
window of breast cancer management is particularly important for these patients,” Dr. Sgroi
said. “This is the first large-scale clinical study to compare multi-gene signatures for their
prognostic strength to quantify late distant recurrence after endocrine therapy. The results show
that Breast Cancer Index is a significant prognostic factor for late distant recurrence and
enables clinicians to assess the risk of recurrence in patients after five years of endocrine
Richard Ding, CEO of bioTheranostics, said this unique head-to-head comparison provides vital
new information for oncologists in the management of breast cancer patients, and demonstrates
that BCI provides additional prognostic information over the US and UK standards of care.
“Meta-analyses have shown that more than half of all breast cancer recurrences and deaths
occur after five years for early stage breast cancer treated with adjuvant tamoxifen,” Ding said.
“BCI represents a new generation of biomarkers that provide comprehensive information for
disease management. It is the only test that allows the assessment of a patient’s risk of both
For a copy of the study, “Comparative Performance of Breast Cancer Index (BCI) vs. Oncotype
Dx and IHC4 in the Prediction of Late Recurrence in Hormonal Receptor-Positive Lymph Node-
Negative Breast Cancer Patients: A TransATAC Study,” email [email protected].
About bioTheranostics
bioTheranostics is the leading solution provider for metastatic cancer management, leveraging
its unique expertise in expression profiling to develop a growing array of molecular diagnostic
tests for cancer patients. The company operates a CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited diagnostic
laboratory to perform its proprietary tests: the CancerTYPE ID® molecular classification test;
PRÉCISSM Precision Medicine, which includes biomarker profiles for non-small cell lung and
colorectal cancers; and Breast Cancer IndexSM, which quantifies risk of recurrence of estrogen
receptor-positive, lymph node-negative breast cancer. bioTheranostics, a bioMérieux company,
is based in San Diego. For more information, visit www.biotheranostics.com.
bioTheranostics’ Breast Cancer Index (BCI) Molecular Test Predicts Late Distant Recurrence in Estrogen Receptor-Positive, Lymph Node-Negative Breast Cancer, Page 3 About Royal Marsden Hospital
The Royal Marsden opened its doors in 1851 as the world’s first hospital dedicated to cancer
diagnosis, treatment, research and education. Today, together with its academic partner, The
Institute of Cancer Research, it is the largest and most comprehensive cancer centre in Europe,
treating more than 44,000 patients every year. It is a centre of excellence with an international
reputation for groundbreaking research and pioneering the very latest in cancer treatments and
technologies. The Royal Marsden also provides community services in the London boroughs of
Sutton and Merton and, in June 2010, along with the ICR, the Trust launched a new academic
partnership with Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in Middlesex. Prince William became president of
The Royal Marsden in 2007, following a long royal connection with the hospital. Learn more at
About The Institute of Cancer Research
The Institute of Cancer Research, London, is one of the world’s most influential cancer research
institutes. Scientists and clinicians at the ICR are working every day to make a real impact on
cancer patients’ lives. Through its unique partnership with The Royal Marsden Hospital and
‘bench-to-bedside’ approach, the ICR is able to create and deliver results in a way that other
institutions cannot. Together, the two organisations are rated in the top four cancer centres
globally. The ICR has an outstanding record of achievement dating back more than 100 years. It
provided the first convincing evidence that DNA damage is the basic cause of cancer, laying the
foundation for the now universally accepted idea that cancer is a genetic disease. Today, it
leads the world at isolating cancer-related genes and discovering new, targeted drugs for
personalised cancer treatment. As a college of the University of London, the ICR provides
postgraduate higher education of international distinction. It has charitable status and relies on
support from partner organisations, charities, and the general public. The ICR’s mission is to
make the discoveries that defeat cancer. For more information, visit www.icr.ac.uk.
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