New hopes for elderly women: the genomic test that could eliminate chemotherapy in breast cancer

An international study coordinated by University College London offers significant hope for older women diagnosed with breast cancer. The research demonstrates that many patients can avoid chemotherapy by using an innovative genomic test, without compromising their chances of recovery.

The study examined the cases of 4,429 women aged over 40 diagnosed with hormone-positive breast cancer — the most common form of the disease. Participants came from six countries, including those in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

The genomic test transforming treatment approaches

Specialists used the Prosigna test, which examines the activity of 50 genes in tumour tissue to determine the risk of the disease recurring within the following decade. This analysis enables doctors to decide whether a patient requires chemotherapy or whether she can instead undergo hormonal therapy alone, which is less aggressive.

The results are remarkable: five years after treatment, 95% of women who received combined chemotherapy and hormonal therapy were healthy and showed no signs of recurrence. For those who underwent hormonal therapy alone, the figure was almost identical — 94%.

Major benefits for older women with breast cancer

For older women, avoiding chemotherapy means being spared devastating side effects such as hair loss, severe nausea, chronic fatigue, and cognitive difficulties. These can be particularly hard to bear at more advanced ages, when the body takes longer to recover.

Chemotherapy can also cause early menopause and infertility — aspects that, whilst less relevant for older women, add to the overall burden of treatment. Avoiding these effects can significantly improve quality of life during the recovery period.

Impact on the healthcare system

Implementing this personalised approach could revolutionise breast cancer treatment in the coming years. Reducing the number of patients requiring chemotherapy will allow for more efficient use of medical resources and lower treatment costs.

Experts believe this research marks a decisive step towards personalised medicine in breast oncology, offering genuine hope to the millions of women diagnosed with this form of cancer each year.