Changes in the molecular concentrations measured by MRS after the first treatment will be correlated with pathologic complete response. Patients will also undergo an additional MRI scan after their fourth cycle of treatment for the purpose of judging whether anatomic depiction by MRI correlates with pCR determined at surgery. A major challenge in breast cancer treatment is to determine which chemotherapeutic agent will provide the most benefit for an individual patient. MRS is a powerful tool to individualize treatment decisions and to maximize treatment benefit for women with breast cancer. Idea Award Recipient Chemotherapy given after surgical treatment of breast cancer saves lives by killing residual breast cancer cells left after surgery.
Chemotherapy given before or after surgery is equally effective.
Chemotherapy given before surgery has one major advantage, the response to treatment can be measured. A minority of women treated in this way will have complete disappearance of the tumor at surgery. Perhaps not unexpectedly, these women have the lowest relapse rates and best survival. Therefore, response to chemotherapy prior to surgery can identify women who receive the most benefit from treatment. Since many drugs can effectively kill breast cancer cells, a major challenge in breast cancer treatment is to determine which chemotherapeutic agent will provide the most benefit for an individual patient.