Breast Cancer Treatment in India: How TAILORx Study and Oncotype DX Are Transforming Care

Team L&M

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in India, accounting for nearly 27% of all female cancers. While the incidence rate in India (25.8 per 100,000) is lower than in many developed countries, the mortality rate (12.7 per 100,000) remains comparable to Western nations.

Recent data from major cancer registries in India also indicate a steady rise in breast cancer cases, with an annual increase ranging between 0.46% and 2.56%. Against this backdrop, advancements in personalised cancer treatment are offering new hope.

TAILORx Study: A Breakthrough in Breast Cancer Treatment

A major breakthrough in breast cancer care has emerged from the Trial Assigning Individualised Options for Treatment (TAILORx) study. This landmark research highlights the role of the Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score® Test in guiding treatment decisions for women with early-stage breast cancer.

Published in the New England Journal of Medicine and supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the TAILORx trial is the largest breast cancer treatment study conducted globally.

Reducing Unnecessary Chemotherapy

The TAILORx study reveals that nearly 70% of women with early-stage, hormone receptor-positive (HR-positive), HER2-negative, node-negative breast cancer do not benefit from chemotherapy.

• Women above 50 years with a recurrence score of 0–25 can safely avoid chemotherapy.

• Women 50 years or younger with scores of 0–15 also show no added benefit from chemotherapy.

This means a significant number of patients can avoid the toxic side effects of chemotherapy, including fatigue, hair loss, and weakened immunity.

Who Still Needs Chemotherapy?

The study also identifies the 30% of patients who do benefit from chemotherapy, making treatment more precise:

• Patients with recurrence scores of 26–100 benefit significantly from chemotherapy.

• Women under 50 with scores between 16–25 may experience modest but increasing benefits as scores rise.

This level of precision helps doctors tailor treatments based on individual risk, a key step toward precision medicine in oncology.

How the Oncotype DX Test Works

The Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score® Test analyses the expression of 21 genes linked to breast cancer recurrence. It helps determine whether a patient should receive:

• Endocrine (hormonal) therapy alone, or

• A combination of chemotherapy and hormonal therapy

In the TAILORx trial, over 10,000 women across six countries were studied, with patients tracked for nearly nine years to validate outcomes.

Expert Insights on Personalised Cancer Care

According to Prasad Vaidya, CEO of Medilinks Inc, the findings are a major step forward:
“The TAILORx study can spare thousands of women from unnecessary chemotherapy. Identifying who truly benefits from treatment is a breakthrough in personalised medicine.”

Dr SVS Deo, Head of Surgical Oncology at AIIMS, New Delhi, adds:
“This study will change the future of cancer treatment. With precision medicine, therapies are tailored to individual risk. However, affordability and insurance coverage remain key concerns.”

Dr Ramesh Sarin, Senior Consultant at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, highlights the practical benefits:
“Avoiding chemotherapy means avoiding its severe side effects. With a simple test, many women can opt for hormonal therapy instead.”

Renowned oncologist Dr Suresh Advani concludes:
“Personalised medicine allows us to treat only those who truly need chemotherapy, improving both outcomes and quality of life.”

Conclusion: A New Era in Breast Cancer Treatment

The TAILORx study marks a significant shift toward personalised breast cancer treatment in India and globally. By using advanced genomic testing like Oncotype DX, doctors can now make more informed decisions, reducing unnecessary treatments while improving survival outcomes.

As awareness and accessibility improve, such innovations have the potential to transform cancer care, ensuring better quality of life for thousands of women.