A new study published last week in Breast Cancer Research has found that certain types of DCIS may respond well to hormone therapy before surgery, and some patients might even be able to avoid surgery altogether in the future.
The study explored how genomic features influence the response of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) DCIS to pre-surgical aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy—specifically, letrozole—in postmenopausal women. Researchers gave letrozole, a hormone-blocking pill, to postmenopausal women with ER+ DCIS for 6 months before surgery, and then looked at how the tumors changed using imaging, lab tests, and genetic analysis of the tumors. The study used genetic testing to predict which tumors would respond, helping tailor treatment to each patient.
Researchers found that tumors with strong estrogen-related genes belonging to the “luminal A” gene type responded best to the hormone therapy, while those with HER2, “luminal B” or basal-like gene types were less likely to shrink. Some of the women treated with letrozole had no DCIS remaining after treatment—a complete pathologic response.
This research shows that for some patients, a pill alone may be enough to treat their DCIS, helping reduce necessary procedures and side effects. The study also brings doctors one step closer to using genomic testing to identify which DCIS patients can safely choose hormone therapy over surgery—offering a more personalized, less invasive approach to care.
Read the full study here.
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