Some MRI screenings may reduce breast cancer mortality

Seattle, WA (KOIN) —A new analysis by the University of Washington shows that MRI screening may reduce breast cancer mortality from mutations in certain genes.

The University Annual MRI screening between the ages of 30 and 35 may reduce breast cancer mortality in women with specific genetic changes in three genes by more than 50%, according to a newly published comparative modeling analysis. Stated.

“Predictions include pathogenic variants in the ATM, CHEK2, and PALB2 genes, which are as common as the many reported BRCA1 / 2 gene mutations,” said UW’s School of Medicine. Website..

The authors of the study argue that their findings support MRI screening in some women sooner than existing guidelines suggest.The study was published in JAMA Oncology..

“It was difficult to develop screening guidelines for these women because there were no clinical trials to tell when to start and how to screen,” said Dr. Catherine Laurie. Raleigh was an assistant professor in the Department of Radiology at the University School of Medicine and the lead author of the dissertation.

The work is Cancer intervention and surveillance modeling networkSensitivity Consortium and Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium..

According to the university, using an established breast cancer simulation model, researchers entered age-specific risk estimates provided by CARRIERS, along with recently published data for screening performance.The Career data A similar number of cancer-free patients as more than 32,000 breast cancer patients were involved.

“For women with pathogenic variants in these genes, our modeling analysis predicted a lifetime risk of developing breast cancer of 21% to 40%, depending on the atypia,” Lowry said. Says. “We predict that starting annual MRI screening between the ages of 30 and 35 and starting annual mammography at the age of 40 will reduce cancer mortality in these female populations by more than 50%.”

According to UW, the simulation compared the performance of the combination of mammography and MRI to mammography alone and predicted that annual MRI would bring significant additional benefits to these populations.

“We also found that starting mammograms before the age of 40 had no significant benefit, but increased false-positive screening,” Lowry added.

The results of the CISNET model inform past guidelines, including the US Preventive Services Task Force in 2009 and 2016. Recommendations The university described breast cancer screening for women at average risk.

“Modeling is a powerful tool for integrating and extending clinical trials and national cohort data to estimate the benefits and harms of different cancer control strategies at the population level,” Dr. Jeanne Mandelbratt He said he was a professor at the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center and the lead author of the paper.

The presentation added that the simulation of this study also predicted false-positive screening results and the amount of benign biopsies per 1,000 females scanned. The authors said these predictions corresponded to about 4 false-positive screening results and 1-2 benign biopsies per female over a 40-year screening period.

“To realize the benefits of genetic susceptibility-based cancer screening guidelines, women often need to know that they have the genetic mutations they are involved in before they are diagnosed with the disease. A genetic testing panel is given after someone tests positive for cancer. It has no prophylactic value for patients, but can save lives for relatives who may seek genetic testing. ” UW says.

Mark RobsonChief of Breast Medical Services Memorial Kettering Cancer Center The senior authors of the paper said that people very well understand the value of testing for mutations in the most common breast cancer predisposing genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2.

“These results show that testing for other genes such as ATM, CHEK2, and PALB2 may also improve the results,” Robson said.

Researchers have their analysis National Cancer Network, American Cancer Society And other organizations that publish guidance for oncologists and radiologists.

“Overall, we are proposing a slightly faster screening than what the current guidelines suggest for some women with these mutations,” he said. Allison CrianHe said he was a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine and the lead author of the dissertation. “For example, the current NCCN guidelines recommend that women with PALB2 start at age 30 and ATMs and CHEK2 at age 40. Our result is that starting MRI at age 30-35 is It suggests that it seems to be beneficial for women with any of the three variants. “

This study was funded by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the National Institutes of Health / National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, and the Patient-Centered Outcome Institute.