A biomarker is a gene, protein, or molecule produced by the body or tumor in a person with cancer that tells a doctor something about the cancer cells. MBC experts studied biomarkers to develop new recommendations for doctors on how to use biomarker information to carefully make MBC treatment decisions.
This month, we begin a 3-part series that explains the biomarkers in these new recommendations.
People who participated in clinical trials helped contribute to the strong evidence that supports these recommendations. Clinical trial participation continues to be important to gather new information about other biomarkers that do not have strong evidence for recommendations.
Click the links below to read about the new biomarker recommendations, how the PIK3CA, BRCA1/BRCA2, and PD-L1/PD-1 biomarkers help doctors make treatment decisions, and about current clinical trials related to these biomarkers.
Biomarkers for Guiding MBC Treatment
- MedPage Today (Article and Video): Megan Kruse, MD, Talks About Biomarkers for Systemic Therapy in Metastatic Breast Cancer
- Journal Article: Biomarkers for Systemic Therapy in Metastatic Breast Cancer
PIK3CA Biomarker
- Healthline: PIK3CA Mutations in Breast Cancer
- NeoGenomics: PIK3CA Mutations
- Novartis: PIK3CA Mutation Testing and Diagnosis
- Current clinical trials: MBC Trials for PIK3CA Biomarkers
BRCA1/BRCA2 Biomarkers
- National Cancer Institute: BRCA Gene Mutations and PARP Inhibitors
- Susan G. Komen: PARP Inhibitors in MBC
- American Association for Cancer Research: PARP Inhibitor Approved for Breast Cancer
- ASCO Post: PARP Inhibitors in the Treatment of Breast Cancer: What’s Next?
- Current clinical trials: MBC Trials for BRCA1 and BRCA2 Biomarkers
PD-L1/PD-1 Biomarkers
- Cancer Network: FDA Approves PD-L1 Test for Pembrolizumab
- OncLive: FDA Approves PD-L1 Test for Pembrolizumab in TNBC
- Breastcancer.org: FDA Approves Immunotherapy Keytruda for PD-L1-Positive TNBC
- National Cancer Institute: Pembrolizumab for Advanced Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- Metastatic Trial Talk: Update on Immunotherapy for MBC: Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (Including PD-L1/PD-1)
- Current clinical trials: MBC Trials for PD-L1 and PD-1 Biomarkers
Clinical Trials Using Biomarkers for Treatment Decision Making
- Metastatic Trial Search: MBC Trials Using Biomarkers for Treatment Decision Support
Last Modified on September 26, 2023