With their findings recently published in Medical Xpress, a team of researchers in Cambridge, UK have identified a treatment approach that has a positive effect on breast cancer survival. Patients were recruited from 23 NHS sites across the UK.
Researchers conducting the Partner clinical trial explored the efficacy of combining the drug Olaparib with chemotherapy in the treatment of early-stage breast cancer, especially for patients who had inherited BRCA mutations.
The Partner trial demonstrated two innovations:
- the addition of Olaparib and chemotherapy pre-surgery, and
- the benefits of a 48-hour gap between Olaparib and chemotherapy treatments given to patients.
Afterward, patients were administered chemotherapy, then treated with a targeted cancer drug prior to surgery.
The Cause
Mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 are changes in their DNA sequence that can be caused by:
- errors during DNA replication
- exposure to radiation, or
- exposure to certain chemicals
The Effect
BRCA1 and BRCA2 can either be harmless, or they may cause loss of function in BRCA1 and BRCA2 proteins, which are critical in repairing DNA and controlling the cell cycle. The risks of developing breast and ovarian cancer are increased in people who inherit a harmful change in BRCA1 or BRCA2. In addition, the faulty copies are challenging to treat.
The Result
100% of participating patients survived three years post-surgery. Results suggest that the 48-hour gap between chemotherapy and Olaparib has led to better outcomes. Nature Communications published the study noting that the discovery may lead to the most effective approach yet for patients who have early-stage breast cancer with BRCA1 and BRCA2 inherited gene mutations. Current treatment aims to shrink the tumor using chemotherapy and immunotherapy, before surgical removal.
The most critical period is the first three years after surgery. During these years, patients are at the greatest risk of a relapse.
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BRCA-mutated breast cancer breast cancer breast cancer awareness breast cancer treatment cancer cancer research cancer treatment clinical trial oncology research treatment
Last modified: May 21, 2025
