Ann H. Partridge, MD, MPH, physician, vice chair, Medical Oncology, founder and director, Program for Young Adults with Breast Cancer, director, Adult Survivorship Program, Eric P. Winer, MD, chair in Breast Cancer Research, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, senior physician, professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, discusses the utilization of GnRH agonists to preserve ovarian function in premenopausal patients with breast cancer.

GnRH agonists represent the only current available modality to protect ovarian function in premenopausal patients with breast cancer who are treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy, including anything containing cyclophosphamide, Partridge says. Multiple studies have demonstrated that the use of GnRH agonists prior to the administration of chemotherapy helps maintain the ability for patients to have a baby if they still want to become pregnant, Partridge explains.

However, data for fertility with the use of GnRH agonists are still limited and appear to apply to women under the age of 40, Partridge continues. Alternatives to managing ovarian toxicity related to chemotherapy in this patient population include egg harvesting, Partridge concludes.

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Ann H. Partridge, MD, MPH, discusses the utilization of GnRH agonists to preserve ovarian function in premenopausal patients with breast cancer.


Dr. Partridge on the Utilization of GnRH Agonists in Breast Cancer

H. Partridge, MD, MPH, vice chair of medical oncology, ​founder and director, Program for Young Women With Breast Cancer, director, Adult Survivorship Program, senior physician, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, professor of medicine, Harvard Medical School, discusses the role of genomic testing in breast cancer.

Genomic expression prediction assays have been instrumental in understanding the value of chemotherapy ​for patient​s with breast cancer, says Partridge. ​For example, the Oncotype DX test looks at a set of 21 genes in cancer cells from tumor biopsy or surgery sample in order to obtain a recurrence score.

​Moreover, the test provides critical insight into whether a patient may or may not benefit from chemotherapy, Partridge explains.

Now, encouraging prospective data show that chemotherapy may be beneficial in the adjuvant setting for patients with node-negative or hormone receptor–positive breast cancer, concludes Partridge.

Ann H. Partridge, MD, MPH, discusses the role of genomic testing in breast cancer.

Dr. Partridge on the Role of Genomic Testing in Breast Cancer

Ann H. Partridge, MD, MPH, founder and director, Program for Young Women with Breast Cancer, director, Adult Survivorship Program, senior physician, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, associate professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, discusses preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) in young patients with breast cancer.

Fertility and fertility preservation are significant issues in young patients with breast cancer. One controversial area of this is PGD, a technology that determines whether a patient's embryo will harbor the same breast cancer predisposing mutant gene, such as 

, as the patient, Partridge explains. This is available and is a relatively safe proceudure; however, it is associated with financial and emotional stress. Patients must also undergo in vitro fertilization, Partridge says.

Societal and ethical issues also surround the procedure and, ultimately, what decision patients make with their embryo. Though PGD is a significant technological advancement in the field, it does remain controversial, she adds.

Dr. Partridge on PGD in Young Patients With Breast Cancer

Ann H. Partridge, MD, MPH, Founder and Director, Program for Young Women with Breast Cancer, Director, Adult Survivorship Program, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, gives an overview of the Adult Survivorship Program.

In the program at Dana-Farber, Partridge is looking to provide all cancer survivors with more comprehensive care from the beginning through their long-term survivorship.

The program focuses on issues that are related to the aftermath of cancer and cancer treatment such as long-term or late toxicities, optimization of health behaviors, and emotional well-being. Further, care coordination is important for patients to receive streamlined, comprehensive care and are not seeing too many providers.

Ann H. Partridge, MD, MPH, from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, gives an overview of the Adult Survivorship Program.

Ann H. Partridge, MD, MPH

Articles

Dr. Partridge on the Utilization of GnRH Agonists in Breast Cancer

Dr. Partridge on the Role of Genomic Testing in Breast Cancer

Dr. Partridge on PGD in Young Patients With Breast Cancer

Dr. Partridge on Dana-Farber's Adult Survivorship Program