Can the 21-gene recurrence score (RS) assay spare some patients from unnecessary adjuvant chemotherapy in hormone–receptor-positive, HER2 negative early breast cancer with low burden axillary disease

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is regarded as the most common malignancy in females worldwide,it is representing 25% of all cancer cases diagnosed in women.The Oncotype DX recurrence score (RS) assay analyzes gene expression using a reverse transcriptase-polymerasechain reaction method,the tested panel includes 21 genes(16cancer-related genes and 5 reference genes).Its introduction resulted in significant changes in the adjuvant treatment decisions.It provides prognostic information for distant disease recurrence in with low burden axillary disease,ER +ve,HER2-ve early breast cancer that is independent of clinico-pathologic characteristics.