Use of a tumour biology test called Oncotype DX.
New Zealand women are participating in an American based study called the TAILORx trial. TAILORx stands for "Trial Assigning Individualised Options for Treatment (Rx)". This research uses a sophisticated laboratory test called "Oncotype DX". This test analyses 25 factors on a sample of cancer taken at the time of a woman's surgery. The test can more precisely estimate a woman's likelihood of having breast cancer return and predict whether a woman may benefit from chemotherapy. Women with a high Oncotype DX "recurrence score" benefit from chemotherapy, women with a low score do not.
The purpose of this research is to investigate whether women with an intermediate "recurrence score", benefit from chemotherapy in addition to hormonal treatment.
