The Prosigna gene test measures the activity of 50 genes involved in breast cancer growth to calculate recurrence risk. A University College London study of more than 4,000 newly diagnosed patients over age 40 found two-thirds received low scores and safely avoided chemotherapy, achieving a 93.7% five-year survival rate compared to 94.9% for those who received chemotherapy. More than 5,000 NHS patients annually could avoid chemotherapy as a result.
Prosigna DNA test
- ▪Patients who received a low Prosigna score were not treated through chemotherapy in the University College London study
- ▪The Prosigna gene test measures the activity of 50 genes involved in breast cancer growth
- ▪Two-thirds of participants in the University College London breast cancer study received a low Prosigna score
- ▪The Prosigna test calculates a patient's risk of breast cancer returning
Trial survival rates
- ▪The University College London breast cancer study included patients in the UK, Norway, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand and Thailand
- ▪The five-year survival rate for breast cancer patients who received a low Prosigna score and avoided chemotherapy was 93.7%
- ▪More than two-thirds of participants in the University College London breast cancer study could be spared the side effects of chemotherapy and treated with hormone therapy alone
- ▪The University College London breast cancer study involved more than 4,000 newly diagnosed patients over the age of 40
- ▪It is not known whether the University College London breast cancer study findings apply to people under the age of 40
- ▪The findings of the University College London breast cancer study will be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's annual meeting in Chicago on June 1, 2026
- ▪The five-year survival rate for breast cancer patients who received chemotherapy in the University College London study was 94.9%
Patient testimonials
- ▪Tanya Hutson was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 and had chemotherapy as part of her treatment
- ▪Chemotherapy can cause fatigue, nausea, hair loss, a weakened immune system and fertility issues
- ▪Karen Bonham avoided chemotherapy thanks to the Prosigna test and received radiotherapy and hormone therapy over eight years
- ▪Karen Bonham from Cardiff participated in the University College London breast cancer trial
Clinical practice changes
- ▪Chemotherapy is often recommended after breast cancer surgery to diminish the risk of the disease returning
- ▪Chemotherapy is regularly offered to people with early-stage breast cancer that has spread to the nearby lymph nodes
- ▪The primary treatment for breast cancer is usually surgery to remove tumours
- ▪More than 5,000 NHS patients a year could avoid chemotherapy as a result of the University College London breast cancer trial
- ▪Professor David Miles described the University College London breast cancer study findings as practice-changing
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