The NHS in England has started offering liquid biopsies to some women with breast cancer that has mutated. These circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) blood tests will show whether women with ER-positive HER2 negative secondary breast cancer have developed the ESR1 mutation which can sometimes occur after long-term treatment with hormone therapy. ER-positive cancer cells are oestrogen receptor positive and can receive signals from oestrogen in the body instructing them to grow. HER2 is human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 which helps to control cell growth; HER2 negative means that the cancer is not making extra HER2 and so can be less aggressive. ESR1 mutations mean that the oestrogen receptors which are usually driven by oestrogen remain on permanently so that hormone therapy used to block the production of oestrogen no longer works. Women with this type of breast cancer will now be able to be offered elacestrant (Korserdu), a new once-a-day tablet. This is a selective oestrogen receptor degrader (SERD) which stops oestrogen helping ER-positive breast cancer cells to grow.
Secondary1st
Seeking a cure for secondary breast cancer
