Breast cancer trials launches study to address higher recurrence rates in young women
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Clinical trial OLIO is set to address the persistently poorer outcomes faced by young women diagnosed with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer. This initiative, led by Breast Cancer Trials, aims to investigate a novel treatment combination that could potentially improve survival rates and reduce recurrence.
Dr Stephen Luen, the Study Chair of the OLIO clinical trial, emphasises the urgency of this research: “Young women often have more aggressive breast cancers and lower survival rates, and the only way we can address this is to do this vital research.” The study will focus on premenopausal women with early-stage hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, a demographic that has historically shown higher rates of recurrence and mortality despite standard treatments.
The OLIO trial will explore the efficacy of combining two medications: olaparib and durvalumab. Olaparib targets tumours with homologous recombination deficiency (HRD), a DNA repair defect that may contribute to the aggressive nature of breast cancers in young women. Durvalumab, when combined with olaparib, is hypothesised to enhance the body’s immune response against cancer cells.
“This research is looking at the unique biological features of these women and how this knowledge can help us improve treatments and ultimately improve outcomes,” Dr Luen explains. The study will not only evaluate this specific therapeutic approach but also aims to build a comprehensive bank of biological specimens for future research.
The trial has received significant support, including funding from the Federal Government’s Medical Research Future Fund’s Rare Cancers, Rare Diseases and Unmet Needs clinical trials initiative. Additionally, SOPHiA GENETICS is providing support to identify potential trial participants using their HRD solution on the SOPHiA DDM™ Platform.
Set to open at 21 sites across Australia, the OLIO study will recruit 50 participants. This research represents a crucial step in addressing the unique challenges faced by young women with breast cancer, potentially leading to more targeted and effective treatments in the future.
Breast Cancer Trials, founded in 1978, continues its legacy of pioneering research with this study. The organisation’s extensive network, involving more than 980 researchers across 118 institutions in Australia and New Zealand, underscores the collaborative effort to improve breast cancer outcomes.
