We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Treatment Switching Guided by Liquid Biopsy Blood Tests Improves Outcomes for Breast Cancer Patients

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 05 Jun 2025

Standard treatment for patients with advanced estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, a subtype driven by estrogen receptors that fuel tumor growth, often involves aromatase inhibitors, which suppress estrogen production. More...

However, resistance frequently develops when tumors acquire ESR1 gene mutations, keeping estrogen receptors active even without hormones. A major clinical challenge in treating advanced ER-positive breast cancer is detecting resistance mutations early enough to adjust treatment before tumor progression occurs. A new international trial has now shown that using liquid biopsy blood tests to identify these mutations, specifically in the ESR1 gene, followed by a timely switch to a novel drug, can significantly extend the period of tumor control compared to standard treatment.

The findings come from the SERENA-6 study, a large-scale, randomized clinical trial conducted across 264 clinical sites in 23 countries, including major contributions from Weill Cornell Medicine (New York, NY, USA). The study, overseen by a team of international researchers and clinicians, focused on patients with advanced ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. The researchers explored whether switching patients to an experimental drug—camizestrant—at the first detection of ESR1 mutations via liquid biopsy, rather than waiting for imaging or symptoms, would improve outcomes. Camizestrant works by directly reducing the number of estrogen receptors on cancer cells, targeting the root of the resistance. Of more than 3,300 patients screened, 315 with detectable ESR1 mutations but no visible disease progression were randomly assigned to either switch to camizestrant or continue aromatase inhibitor therapy.

The findings published in the New England Journal of Medicine clearly show that patients who transitioned early to camizestrant experienced a median tumor progression-free period of 16.0 months, compared to 9.2 months with standard care. Even more strikingly, overall health deterioration was delayed to a median of 23.0 months in the camizestrant group, versus just 6.4 months in the control group. These results were considered both statistically and clinically significant. Camizestrant was also well tolerated, with a few patients discontinuing it due to side effects. The findings mark one of the first successful demonstrations that treatment adaptation based on liquid biopsy results can improve patient outcomes in real-world clinical settings. This trial not only validates liquid biopsy as a viable early monitoring tool in breast cancer but also paves the way for similar approaches in other cancers where resistance mutations can be detected in blood. For ER-positive breast cancer, in particular, the strategy could redefine how clinicians monitor recurrence and make proactive treatment decisions.

“The main message here is that liquid biopsy technology allows us to intervene sooner when the tumor burden is lower and the chance of a good outcome is higher,” said study co-author Dr. Massimo Cristofanilli, who helped design and oversee the SERENA-6 study.


New
Gold Member
Quality Control Material
iPLEX Pro Exome QC Panel
POC Helicobacter Pylori Test Kit
Hepy Urease Test
New
Pipette
Accumax Smart Series
New
Blood Glucose Test Strip
AutoSense Test
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: A simple blood sample that allows DNA methylation could identify epigenetic biomarkers (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Simple Blood Sample Could Identify Epigenetic Biomarkers to Predict CVD Risk in Type 2 Diabetes

People with type 2 diabetes face up to four times higher risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks, strokes, and angina compared to individuals without the condition. Yet, current tools used... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The microfluidic device for passive separation of platelet-rich plasma from whole blood (Photo courtesy of University of the Basque Country)

Portable and Disposable Device Obtains Platelet-Rich Plasma Without Complex Equipment

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) plays a crucial role in regenerative medicine due to its ability to accelerate healing and repair tissue. However, obtaining PRP traditionally requires expensive centrifugation... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: MycoMEIA Aspergillus Assay is the first FDA-cleared urine-based test for invasive aspergillosis (Photo courtesy of Pearl Diagnostics)

Urine-Based Assay Diagnoses Common Lung Infection in Immunocompromised People

Invasive Aspergillosis (IA), a life-threatening fungal infection, poses a serious threat to immunocompromised individuals, especially those with hematologic malignancies, transplants, or severe lung diseases.... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: The acquisition of Exosome Diagnostics adds the ExoDx Prostate test to Mdxhealth’s portfolio (Photo courtesy of Bio-Techne)

Bio-Techne Divests Exosome Diagnostics to Reposition Product Portfolio

Bio-Techne Corporation (Minneapolis, MN, USA) has entered into an agreement with Mdxhealth SA (Irvine, CA, USA), which will acquire its Exosome Diagnostics Inc. (Waltham, MA, US) business, including the... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.