Pioneering Test Predicts Recurrence and Survival Rates in Breast Cancer Patients

Inbiomotion (Barcelona, Spain) has developed the MAF-TEST after identifying the MAF gene as a key marker for predicting bone metastasis in breast cancer. The diagnostic kit is designed to detect amplification of the MAF gene, allowing for personalized treatment plans for breast cancer patients. The MAF gene plays a vital role, especially in triggering bone metastasis. It regulates a number of cellular processes including cell survival, initiation of metastasis, metabolic changes, and the tumor’s ability to adhere to bone marrow-derived cells. It even influences the formation of osteoclasts, cells that remodel bone. About 20% of breast cancer patients were found to have an amplified MAF gene. Moreover, the presence or absence of this amplified MAF gene significantly alters the response to bisphosphonate treatment in patients with non-metastatic breast cancer, thereby directly affecting their chances of survival.

For oncologists treating breast cancer, the MAF Test offers a groundbreaking addition to their toolkit. It helps identify which patients are more prone to recurrence and could benefit from early alternative treatments. This facilitates a more tailored healthcare strategy, shifting the focus from short-term measures to long-term survival and well-being. It aids in making more informed decisions that could substantially affect the patient's lifespan. Overall, the MAF Test can prove to be an invaluable asset for improving patient outcomes.

"We have described and developed a new test that provides accurate selection criteria for adjuvant bisphosphonate therapy, improving the clinical outcome of breast cancer patients and excluding those who do not benefit,” said Prof. Roger Gomis, co-founder of Inbiomotion. “It is a biomarker that is easy to implement in any clinical pathology laboratory and we believe it should be routine in breast cancer characterization."

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