A pioneering breast cancer treatment programme developed in Cambridge is rapidly expanding, bringing the benefits of personalised medicine to more patients across the East of England and beyond. The Personalised Breast Cancer Programme (PBCP) uses cutting-edge whole genome sequencing to analyse the genetic makeup of a patient’s tumour, allowing doctors to tailor treatment plans and improve outcomes.
Under the programme, a patient’s tumour DNA is read like a barcode, comparing it to healthy cells to pinpoint genetic mutations driving the disease. This detailed analysis reveals potential weaknesses that can be targeted with specific drugs or identifies if a patient might benefit from immunotherapy or participation in a relevant clinical trial.
Professor Jean Abraham, an oncology consultant at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) and professor of precision cancer medicine at the University of Cambridge, explains:
The beauty of this sequencing project is we get the data faster and can act on it. It allows us to direct clinicians towards more targeted drugs with the best chance of helping individual patients.
The James Paget Hospital in Great Yarmouth is the latest to adopt the PBCP, joining Addenbrooke’s in Cambridge, Ipswich, Colchester, Norwich and Oxford. Since recruitment began in March, nearly 1,800 patients have enrolled, receiving results within six to twelve weeks. Crucially, the programme has already led to changes in clinical management for over a third of those tested.
While many patients find their existing treatment is confirmed as optimal, the PBCP provides invaluable reassurance and offers a pathway to more effective care in cases of relapse. Professor Abraham emphasises the programme also offers peace of mind by establishing whether an individual carries high-risk hereditary genes, benefitting both the patient and their family.
Approximately 5,700 women and a small number of men are diagnosed with breast cancer in the East of England each year, but the PBCP aims to improve survival rates and reduce the side effects of treatment. Dr David Maskell, overseeing the study at the James Paget Hospital, highlighted that the genetic analysis is conducted using routine biopsy and blood tests, ensuring minimal disruption to the patient’s care.
The PBCP began as a pilot in 2016, funded by Cancer Research UK and Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, and has now enrolled over 2,500 patients. With further funding, the programme is set to expand further, and Professor Abraham and her team will relocate to the new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital (CCRH) to integrate laboratory research even more closely with clinical care.
